How to use columns

A table is dispalyed in a table window.

A table consists of columns, records and fields. Schematically, this looks like:

Record names or record numbers appear on (gray) record buttons that are arranged along the left side of the table.

Column names appear on (gray) column buttons, also called column headers, arranged along the top of the table viewer.

To add a column to a table:

To add a column to a table, see How to add a column to a table.

To delete one or more columns from a table:

To delete one or more columns from a table, see Table window : Delete.

To rename a column:

Columns cannot be renamed.

To change the width of columns:

position the mouse pointer at the end of a column,
the mouse pointer will change into a double-sided arrow,
drag the mouse pointer to the right to make the column wider, or drag the mouse pointer to left to make the column narrower.

You can also use the Column Properties dialog box.

To change the order of columns:

click the column header of the column you wish to move, and hold the left mouse button down,
the mouse pointer will change into a column icon , and
drag the column to another position.

You can also use the Column Management dialog box where you can drag columns to another position in the list.

To sort a table on the values in a column:

choose Sort from the Columns menu, or
select a column by clicking a column header, then click the selection with the right mouse button and choose Sort Ascending or Sort Descending from the context-sensitive menu.

The Sort Records dialog box will be opened. You can sort on the domain of the table or sort on a column of the table, either in ascending or descending order.

To view and/or change the properties of a column:

double-click a column header,
select a column, and click the Properties button in the toolbar, or
select a column, click the selection with the right mouse button and choose Properties from the context-sensitive menu.

The Column Properties dialog box will be opened.

You can also use the Column Management dialog box to open a Column Properties dialog box.

To recalculate all columns:

Dependent columns are not up-to-date anymore after you edited fields in columns on which the dependent columns depend.

To update all dependent columns in a table:

click the Update All Columns button in the toolbar, or
choose Update All Columns from the Columns menu.

To copy columns to the clipboard:

To copy table data to the clipboard, see Table window : Copy.

To paste something from the clipboard into a column:

To paste data from the clipboard into a table, see Table window : Paste.