Managing columns in Table Writeback

This article describes how to add and edit the columns, supported datatypes, column settings.

Last updated 18 days ago

Supported data types in columns

Type

Use for

Text

Free text

Numeric

Decimal numbers

Integer

Whole numbers

Large_integer

Very large whole numbers

Boolean

True/false values

Date

Dates without a time

Datetime

Dates with a time

Adding a new column

  • To add a new column click the Add (+) toolbar icon and choose Add Column

ℹ️ If you cannot see Add column option from the dropdown, then it was disabled in the visual configurations (check Customizing Table Writeback visual - BI Book for more info).

  • Fill in the required fields:

Field

Notes

Enter column name (required)

The name stored in the database. snake_case. All column names use lowercase letters, with underscores instead of spaces. Avoid also special characters.

Cannot be changed later.

Select data type (required)

See data types in the section above.

Cannot be changed later.

Enter Display name

The name shown in the table. Follows the column name as you type, but you can override it and change it later.

Default value

Automatically filled into new rows, but not existing ones.

Is locked (no/yes)

Locked columns cannot be edited in the table.

Is visible (no/yes)

Hidden columns are not shown (the "Show All Columns" toolbar icon reveals them).

Is mandatory (no/yes)

Mandatory columns must be filled before a row can be saved.

  • Click OK to create the column or x to cancel.

Editing a column

  • If you would like to edit a column click on column header menu ("…”) next to the column name:

  • Choose “Edit”

  • As it was mentioned above, you cannot edit column technical name and the data type. However, all other settings, including the display name you can adjust any time.

  • Remember to save changes ☝️

Deleting a column

  • To delete a column, click on column header menu ("…”) next to the column name and select “Delete”

  • A confirmation pop-up will appear. Select Delete to confirm, and the column, along with its metadata, will be removed from your table right away. This can't be undone, so double-check before you confirm.

Freeze, move, resize

  • Freeze Column / Unfreeze Column (column header menu): freezes the column and everything to its left so they stay visible while scrolling horizontally.

For example, select Freeze Column from the 4th column's header menu, and all 4 columns will freeze at once:

All columns up to and including this one will be frozen:

☝️You can unfreeze the columns from the same column header menu.

  • Reorder: drag a column header to move the column.

  • Resize: drag the edge of a column header.

By default, column width fits the column name. Want it wider or narrower? Hover over the column border until you see the resize arrows, then drag to adjust. Your new width is saved automatically.

To reset the width - double click on the column border.

ℹ️ Column order, widths, frozen state and display names are remembered per table.

Hidden columns

  • To hide the column, open the column settings and switch "Is visible?" to off. Remember to save the changes.

  • The column still exists in the table but is hidden from the view:

  • You can view hidden columns by clicking on “View” icon on the action panel

☝️If you cannot see “View” icon, then it was hidden in the Table Settings.