Deta Studio

How to choose table columns

Choose where each table column gets its values and control formatting and totals.

Updated

Find the controls

Table columns

Table → click a column heading or + at the end

Before you start

Create a takeoff table. Each column has a type that determines where its values come from.

  • Ruler icon Takeoff reads drawing marks, such as count(door) or area(floor).
  • Value icon Value holds text or numbers you enter, such as an item name or fixed rate.
  • Calculator icon Formula calculates from other columns, such as Quantity * Rate.
  • Product library icon Library reads a field from a selected product, such as unit price or coverage.

Steps

  1. Click Plus icon at the end of the headings to add a column, or click an existing heading to edit it.
  2. Enter its name and choose its type. For Value, choose Text, Number, or Currency. For Formula, enter a calculation using the visible column names. For Library, choose the library and field.
  3. For a Takeoff column, choose which branches it counts, then enter each row's expression in the grid. See filter quantities.
  4. Choose whether the column sums into Total. Turn this off for rates, coverage, and quantities that mix different units. Click Add column when creating a new column.
Takeoff column editor showing Takeoff, Value, Formula, and Library types, branch scope, and the sums into Total setting.

Calculate a cost

  1. Add Rate as Value → Currency, or link a library price. Turn off sums into Total for this column.
  2. Add Cost as Formula and enter Quantity * Rate. Use the column names shown in your table; suggestions help you select them.
  3. Set Cost to Currency and turn on sums into Total.
Cost column using Quantity multiplied by Rate, currency formatting, and sums into Total.

With Quantity 3 and Rate 250, the row's Cost is $750.00. The same formula applies to each row. Blank inputs or division by zero leave the result blank.

Check your result

A Value cell keeps what you enter; a Takeoff cell reads marks; a Formula cell calculates; a Library cell reads the selected product. Only columns set to sum contribute to section subtotals and the Total row.

Troubleshooting

  • Formula is unavailable: add another column first so there is something to calculate from.
  • A calculated cell stays fixed: a typed number can override its calculated value. Clear the override or restore the takeoff expression to resume calculation.