Column Formatting

Column formatting controls how values appear in a worksheet columns, improving clarity, consistency, and visual appeal. You can format individual columns by changing number display, aligning text, applying font styles, and setting background or font colors.

Formatting can be applied in various ways. The method you choose determines which formatting takes precedence if multiple styles are set.

note

Column formatting is hidden when data entry is enabled. To view column formatting, disable data entry.

When to use column formatting

Improving section distinction: Make different column sections visually stand out.
Highlighting important columns: Draw attention to key columns with color or font styling.
Standardizing value appearance: Ensure values use consistent formatting, such as decimal places.
Aligning content: Structure columns for easier scanning and better readability.

Formatting columns

Formatting a column

Format a specific column to control how its values appear—such as changing number display, alignment, or style—without affecting other columns. The available options depend on the column’s data type. For numerical or date columns, you’ll see extra tabs for editing cell values and setting display formats; other data types provide header, content, and total row formatting only.

Use specific column formatting when you want to make a particular column easier to read, highlight important values, or apply a style that’s different from the rest of the worksheet.

To format a specific column

Do one of the following to open the column formatting dialog:
- Right-click the field in the Columns section. Select Column Formatting, then Edit.
- Right-click the column header on the worksheet. Select Column Formatting, then Edit.
- Click a field in a column and select the Column Formatting icon from the actions menu.
Apply formatting as needed on the Header, Content, and Total Row tabs.
Click Apply to confirm.

Formatting all columns

Apply formatting to all columns at once to keep a consistent appearance across your worksheet—ideal for quickly setting a base style before adding more specific formatting. This global formatting affects only the Columns section, not Groups. If you need to format groups, see Group Formatting.

Use all columns formatting when you want a uniform style and haven’t set individual formatting for specific columns, or when you want to quickly establish default formatting before applying detailed rules to particular fields.

To format all columns

Do one of the following to open the all columns formatting dialog:
- Click the three dots next to Columns. Select All Columns Formatting, then Edit.
- Right-click the column header on the worksheet. Select All Columns Formatting, then Edit.
In the Format – Column – All dialog, apply formatting as needed on the Header, Content, and Total Row tabs.
Click Apply to confirm.

note

Column-specific or conditional formatting overrides global formatting if defined later.

Formatting columns options

Choose the appropriate tab—Header, Content, or Total Row—to apply formatting where you need it.

Use the Header tab to format column headers.
Use the Content tab to format the cell contents.
Use the Total Row tab to format the total row in the worksheet.

Formatting Option	Description
Cell	Format text style, color, alignment, and background color for each cell.
Border	Set border style, color, and width around each cell.
Preview	See a real-time preview of your formatting choices.

Display format

Override the default field format set in the Data Model Designer. The available formatting options depend on the field’s data type. Enable Override the default values to see the different formatting options.

Formatting Option	Description
Date / Time	Choose the date or time format from dropdown lists.
Number	Format numeric values with options for decimal places, leading zeroes, negative numbers, abbreviated format, and display units. The Number tab appears only for a Numeric, Integer, Date, DateTime, or Time fields.
Currency	Format numeric values with decimal places, leading zeroes, negative numbers, display units, abbreviated format, and currency symbols.
Percentage	Format numeric values as percentages with decimal places, leading zeroes, and a percent sign.

Copy a format

After you apply a format, you can reuse it by copying and pasting onto other fields. The Copy option becomes available once a format is set. You can copy formats between fields in the Groups and Columns sections—including across worksheets, as well as worksheets embedded in dashboards or reports. However, the master column header of a report will not apply the formatting of the selected worksheet.

To copy and paste a format

Select the field you want to copy from:
- To copy formatting from a specific field, right-click the field in the Columns section or right-click its column header in the worksheet.
- To copy formatting of all columns, select the three dots next to the Columns section.
Select All Column Formatting or Column Formatting, then Copy.
A confirmation message appears.
Navigate to the target field and right-click it.
Select the appropriate formatting option—All Column Formatting or Column Formatting— then choose Paste.
A message confirms that the formatting has been applied.

Reset a format

Use the Reset option to remove all column formatting and restore the field to its default appearance. This is helpful when you want to clear custom styles, return to default formatting before applying new ones, or ensure consistent formatting across your worksheet.

To reset a format

Right-click the field in the Columns section or select the three dots next to the Columns section.
Select All Column Formatting or Column Formatting, then Reset.

note

This action only removes formatting applied through the Column Formatting dialog. It does not affect conditional formatting or formatting set in groups or totals.