> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.fabricplan.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.fabricplan.com/documentation/plan/powertable-sheets/how-tos/configure-column-properties/general.md).

# General

The **General** section allows you to configure the data type, validation rules, constraints, and default values for a column.

### Configure general properties

To configure the general properties:

1. Select **Setup** > **Columns**.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/jPIlkpLqWQtrypcRfJyK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. The column configuration window opens. Select the pencil icon next to the column name or double-click the column name.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/IMzRTZVJTsXIu1zUWHJW" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. Select the **General** tab in the side panel.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/FuSCdf5wwIcdWBWZTTeA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can configure the following properties:

* [Input type](#input-type)
* [Constraints](#constraints)
* [Default value](#default-value)

### Input type

Use the **Input Type** property to specify how data is entered, stored, and displayed in a column.

Powertable sheet supports a wide range of input types. The available input types are determined by the underlying SQL data type assigned to the column.

For example:

* Numeric data types such as **INT**, **BIGINT**, **FLOAT**, and **DECIMAL** support input types such as **Number**, **Single Select**, **Decimal**, **Currency**, **Percent**, **Percent Complete**, and **Rating**.<br>

  <figure><img src="/files/n5Uf93Boyguh3ENd9HYf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
* Date and time data types support input types such as **Date Time** and **Single Select**.<br>

  <figure><img src="/files/Si2ejIOXkMhIt2i2UHfR" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
* Text-based data types such as **VARCHAR** and **NVARCHAR** support input types such as **Text**, **Email**, **URL**, **Phone Number**, **Person** (name or email), **Image** (URL-based), **Single Select**, and **Check Box**.<br>

  <figure><img src="/files/nDeQpWbo7omdoHSl8Cbf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
* Boolean data types support input types such as **Check Box**.

Depending on the input type you have chosen, you can set additional properties. For example, you can set minimum and maximum values for numeric input types and a list of selectable values for single-select columns.

For a complete list of supported column types and their details, see [Supported column types](/documentation/plan/powertable-sheets/reference/supported-column-types.md).

### Constraints

Use the **Constraints** section to limit input values and configure field validation.

#### Minimum and maximum

Use **Minimum** and **Maximum** to define the allowed range of values for a column. Values outside the configured range are not accepted.

These constraints are available for the input types of **Number**, **Currency** and **Date Time**.

<figure><img src="/files/4kEPnBDGuV4tuYC5fL2Y" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Existing table values remain unchanged. When you enter values outside the configured range, powertable sheet displays a message indicating the permitted limits.

<figure><img src="/files/niRT5AQLzeQaYXFS0MI2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Note

You can configure either a minimum value, a maximum value, or both.
{% endhint %}

For **Date** and **Date Time** columns, you can define a valid date range or a date-time range. Values outside the configured range are not accepted.

<figure><img src="/files/GGsrVi77O4EGy8Zj13VO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Field validation

Use **Field Validation** to control the type of values that users can enter in a **text** column.

The following validation options are available:

* **Any value**
* **Numeric**
* **Alphanumeric**
* **Non Numeric**
* **Regex**

When **Regex** is selected, specify a regular expression pattern to validate user input. Values that do not match the configured validation rule are rejected.

<figure><img src="/files/zeewYNrBoZYFKOrEdW28" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Other number properties

For decimal input type, you can configure the default number of decimal places to be displayed.

Select **Allow Negative Numbers** to allow negative entries in the column.

<figure><img src="/files/RPKau8JMqvbL7fSnDjAN" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Default value

Use **Default Value** to automatically populate a column when new rows are created. This helps ensure that new records already contain a valid initial value and reduces manual data entry. The column values in the existing records remain unchanged.

Default values can be set using a **manual** static value or a **formula**.

#### Manual value

To configure a static default value:

1. Select **Manual**.
2. Enter the required value.

In the following example, **NA** is configured as the default value for the **Product Description** column.

<figure><img src="/files/EQlwOw21cBraxgFBlJYu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When a new row is inserted, the configured default value is automatically populated, and you can later modify it when required.

<figure><img src="/files/6WCTEkUTf7y9Tycj9GBe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Reset to default on update**

Enable **Reset to Default on Update** to automatically reset the column to its configured default value whenever the record is updated.

<figure><img src="/files/29PaaI4kx515OM6yLSqE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When this option is enabled:

* Existing values remain unchanged until the record is updated.
* The value is reset to the configured default when you modify other fields in the same record.

In this example, changing the product name automatically resets the product description to the default value NA.

<figure><img src="/files/wjTVLXzekEgjSF4BOe2X" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Additional default value options are available for specific input types:

* **Person** - Use a user's name or email address as the default value.
* **Single Select** - Select a default value from the configured list of options.<br>

  <figure><img src="/files/dD2thA9zXY08ABY0EU3A" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
* **Check Box** - Configure default values such as True/False, 1/0, Yes/No, or any custom text by selecting **Checked** or **Unchecked** values.

<figure><img src="/files/cJcrnF1MWYOzzWiUi1ws" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Formula

Use **Formula** to calculate default values dynamically by using formulas.

Powertable sheet supports formulas and functions for generating default values. These values are automatically recalculated based on the underlying reference data.

Formula-based default values are supported for the following input types:

* Number
* Decimal
* Text
* Date Time
* Person
* Email

#### **Recalculate data on update**

Enable **Recalculate data on update** to have the column automatically reset to its calculated default value whenever the record is updated.

<figure><img src="/files/p31Orcs84ua0DxVLeFQU" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When this option is enabled:

* Existing values remain unchanged until the record is updated.
* When you modify another field in the same record, the value is reset to the formula-derived default.

In this example, changing the product size calculates the default value and resets the product price to it.

<figure><img src="/files/D4A5UqwB6YyBezFhogje" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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