Include Data Type and Help Text in the Excel Template

The Excel template that is downloaded from a page for use with Excel Integration can have up to four column header rows. All templates have the column’s technical name in the first row, and the translated name in the second row. A Page Designer can include the data type and length details for each column in a row, and the help text for a column in a row. These columns are not included by default.

When downloading an Excel template through Excel Integration on a page it is possible to include the Data Type in the header.

  • varchar, nvarchar, char, nchar will show the data type and length; for example, nvarchar (50), when the field has maximum length, it will show (-1) as the length; for example, nvarchar (-1), ntext will show always (-1)
  • decimal, numeric, money and smallmoney will show the data type and the number of whole digits and decimals; for example, decimal (10,4)
  • bit, int, smallint, bigint, double, float, real, datetime, datetime2, time and uniqueidentifier will show only the data type

NOTE: Help text must exist for the column. Refer to Add Column Help Text for more information. The help text displays as text only, without HTML markup.

NOTE: Before header rows can be configured for the template for a page, Excel Integration must be enabled for that page. Refer to Enable Excel Integration for more information.

The Excel template uses the current user’s language, set on the My Profile page, to translate the translated column name and the help text in the template. Translated phrases must exist for the column headers and help text for them to display in the spreadsheet.

To include the data type or help header rows:

  1. Navigate to the page where the Excel template columns should be configured.

  2. Click the Change Settings icon in the Site toolbar.

  3. Select Design.

    NOTE: A new tab opens in the browser. The original page remains open in a tab as well.

  4. Click Vertical View.

  5. Click the Excel tab.

  6. Click Edit.

    View the field descriptions for the Pages page

  7. Check the Excel Data Type Header check box.

    NOTE: The data type and length details for each column displays in the third row of the downloaded file.

  8. Check the Excel Help Text Header check box.

    NOTE: The text-only representation of the column’s help text (without HTML markup) displays in the fourth row of the downloaded file.

  9. Click Save.