Format Required Fields in an Excel File

A user can generate an Excel file at the request role level for data entry purposes. To indicate that a column in the file is required, dspCompose™ can format the column according to options set on the Template (Role Excel Column Control) page.

NOTE: On the Template (Role) page, the Excel Column Control icon is disabled after a user records a template. Once the template is generated, this icon is enabled. To generate a template, on the Templates page’s Vertical View, click Generate.

NOTE: The default background color and text color for required fields are set at the Parameter level on the Parameters page on the Posting and File tab (Configuration > Parameters).

To set formatting for required columns:

  1. Click Team on Navigation pane.

  2. Click Templates for a team.

  3. Click Roles for a template.

  4. Click Excel Column Control for a role.

  5. Click Required Columns Format on the Page toolbar.

  6. Click Edit.

    View the field descriptions for the Template Role Excel (Required Columns) page.

  7. Select a color from the Background Color list box.

  8. Select a color from the Text Color list box.

  9. Click Save.

  10. Click Preview on the Page toolbar to view the formatting.

This setting is saved at the template role level, and determines how required columns in Excel display when dspCompose™ generates a file at the corresponding request role level.

For example, a Required Columns Format has been set for a template called Create Customer for the Data role. The background color of a required column displays red. A user with the Date role creates a request based on the Create Customer template, and clicks the Generate Template File icon on the Vertical View of the Request (Roles) page. dspCompose™ generates an Excel file, and formats all required columns in red, indicating that these columns cannot be left blank.