Layout grid (Edit Spreadsheet Layout Details)

Use the grid on the Edit Spreadsheet Layout Details window to customize the appearance of each column in the spreadsheet.

Items in this window

 
Tab Description
Order Use these cells to establish the order in which you want the columns to appear in the spreadsheet.
Label

Displays the name (up to 30 characters) of each column in the spreadsheet. To enter a different name, double-click in the cell and type in the new name. After renaming a column, you can use the original name or the new name.

You can also change the labels of converted columns in spreadsheet layouts. Column headings for converted columns are marked by asterisks (*). The asterisks are replaced by the converted unit name in the spreadsheet and on reports.

We recommend that you do not use the asterisk for another purpose when labeling headers for converted columns in layouts, or you may obtain unexpected results.

Tips:  

  • To see the original name, hold the cursor on that cell for a moment.
  • To switch between the original name and the new name, right-click and choose either of the names in the shortcut menu. A ü appears next to the name being used.
  • To apply a different font to the column name, right-click and choose Column Header Font. The Font window opens so you can choose the font, style, size, effects, color, and script.
  • To change the font for everything in a column except the header, click its Font button.
Visible

Determines whether a column appears on the spreadsheet or prints on the Spreadsheet report. It is easier to review the information in the spreadsheet if you hide columns that are unused or unrelated to what you are doing.

Visibility of Grid Columns
Setting Result

o

Hides the column.

þ

Shows the column.
  • You cannot change the visibility of Unit columns directly. Unit columns are visible on the spreadsheet and Spreadsheet reports only if the associated Quantity column is visible.
Width

Controls the width of a column on the spreadsheet or Spreadsheet report. The width is given as a number of characters based on the system font. Text and numbers are treated differently if an entry exceeds the specified cell width:

  • Text is cut off at the cell border or moved to the next line based on the Wrap text option.
  • Numbers are shown as pound signs (###). To see the entire number, increase the column width.

Tip: On the spreadsheet, you can drag the right border of the column header in either direction to change the width of a column.

Background color

Opens the Color window to choose a background color for a column on the spreadsheet or Spreadsheet report.

Color is useful for making a column more noticeable or highlighting the group of columns within a category. You can choose a standard color or define a custom color.

[Background color] or [Background] appears on the following windows:

  • Column Properties
  • Edit Spreadsheet Layout Details
  • Spreadsheet Report Options
  • The Spreadsheet tab in the Options window.
Font

Opens the Font window to choose a font, style, size, effect, color, and script for the selected parts of the spreadsheet or a report.

Tip: You must select a font to make the style, size, effects, color, and script take effect.
Override level font

Select this check box if you want the column font settings to override the level font. This option is selected automatically when you change the column font.
Number of decimals

Select how many digits appear after the decimal point for the selected numeric column. Values are truncated (not rounded) at the specified number of digits.

Default numeric values
Numeric Values Default

Quantities

2

Currency amounts

0

Conv/Productivity

3

Rate (Totals window)

3

Tip: Choose Column Settings on the shortcut menu for the column header and click image\spin.gif to increase or decrease the number of decimals by one.
Negative numbers in red

Controls the color of negative numbers in a column on the spreadsheet or Spreadsheet report. A red font can help negative numbers to stand out.

Setting a Red Font for Negative Numbers
Setting Result

☐

Uses the column color.

☑

Uses red.

Wrap text

Controls what happens on the spreadsheet or Spreadsheet report if the contents of a cell exceed the specified column width.

Truncating or wrapping cell contents
Setting Result

o

Cuts off text at the cell border.

þ

Continues on the next line.

Tip: To see the wrapped text of an overline row in the spreadsheet, pull down the bottom border of that row.
Spreadsheet Grouping Column Settings (Visible, Width, Background color) You can set the width, background color, and visibility separately for spreadsheet grouping columns.