Set Column Properties

Once a field has been added to the columns, you can set its properties in the Fields Table section of the Data Model Designer. These properties control how the column is displayed, formatted, and behaves in worksheets and other views.

General

Property	Description
Column Group Heading	Groups related column headers in a worksheet view. For example, if Customer is specified for both Customer Number and Customer Name, the worksheet will display Customer above Number and Name side by side. Used with Column Heading.
Column Heading	Sets the column’s header text. Combined with Column Group Heading to identify the column in a data model.
Visible Level	Defines the minimum authorization level required to display the column. Compared against user authorizations set in Data Model Authorizations. Levels: 0 – No authorization 10 – Basic 20 – Intermediate 30 – Advanced 40 – Manager 50 – Administrator 60 – System Administrator 99 – Security Officer
Format	Specifies the display format for numbers, currency, date/time, percentages, and text. Options vary per category (e.g., decimal places for numbers, leading zeros). Provides a preview. From SEI Version 9, you can display images or hyperlinks in worksheets.
Column Type	Defines the column’s role: Dimension Key – Field(s) that uniquely identify a record in the data model. Required for editable data models. Dimension Data – Fields used for grouping or analyzing (e.g., Company, Region Code). Measure Data – Numeric fields to analyze (e.g., Goods Value, Quantity). Measure Calculated – Calculated measures based on other column values. Description Data – Descriptive fields for dimension fields (e.g., Customer Name).
Description Field	Links a dimension key to its description field (e.g., Customer Number to Customer Name, Item Code to Item Description). The description shows alongside the code depending on Description Format.
Description Format	Controls layout of dimension and description fields. For example, Title-Description-Code for a Customer Code might appear as Customer code-123-Company ABC. Can use - separator or display without separators.
Prompt Query	Assigns a prompt to the column. Opens the Prompt dialog to select the relevant prompt data model.
Prompt Sort Order	If the column is used in a prompt window, determines sort order: None, Ascending, Descending.
Subtotal	Specifies the summary operation used when data is grouped: None, Sum, Min, Max, Count, Avg, Count Distinct, Percentage of total, OnCalcul.
Subtotal Restrictions	Restricts which grouping levels display subtotal values. Opens a dialog to select Subtotal Group Levels and Field.
Subtotal Exceptions	Allows a different subtotal type for a specific group. Exceptions are ignored if subtotal type is Percentage of total. Opens a dialog to select Field and Subtotal.
OnCalculation	If Subtotal is set to OnCalcul, defines a script in the JavaScript Builder to calculate the subtotal.
Calculation	Specifies a SQL calculation for a calculated column using the SQL Script Builder.
Window Function	Applies a window function calculation for the column.
Parameter Name	Sets a Global Parameter name for use with Links, Dashboard Filtering, and Dashboard Filtering Panels.

Edit

Property	Description
Editable Level	Defines the minimum authorization level required for a user to edit the current column. Compared against the user’s authorization set in Data Model Authorizations. If a column is editable, one or more dimensions must be set as a key for proper database writes. Levels: 0 – No authorization 10 – Basic 20 – Intermediate 30 – Advanced 40 – Manager 50 – Administrator 60 – System Administrator 99 – Security Officer
Edit Calculation	Specifies a recalculation for this column when dependent columns change. For example, in a Forecast Total column that adds values from multiple forecast columns, you can set a script such as necResult = Forecast1 + Forecast2 + Forecast3 using the JavaScript Builder.
Split by Ratio on	Splits any amount entered at a total line based on the ratio of values in this field. Only applies if the column is editable. For example, in a budget entry data model, setting this property to Actual Amount for the Budget Amount column will split group-level budget values across detail rows according to actual amount ratios.
Validate Against Prompt	Validates entered values against a prompt linked to this field. If set to Yes, only values that exist in the prompt are accepted. If set to No, any value can be entered. Options: Yes, No.

Advanced

Property	Description
(Source Field Name)	Shows the database field name of the current column. Cannot be edited.
(Source File Name)	Shows the database table or view name for the current column. Cannot be edited.
(Source File Alias)	Shows the alias for the table or view, used if the table or view is added more than once in the model. Cannot be edited.
Data Type	Displays the database field type. Automatically set from the database but can be changed for calculated fields. Supported types: CHAR, NUMERIC, INTEGER, DATE, TIME, DATETIME. User input is validated in the Selection Page and Advanced Filter.
Data Length or Decimal Precision	Determines field length for CHAR types or number of decimal places for NUMERIC types. Automatically defaults from the database, but can be modified for calculated fields.