Format Column

The Format Column action applies formatting to one or more columns in an Excel workbook.

Note: The Actions Quick Reference provides a complete list of actions that you can print for easy reference.

Creating a Format Column Action

  1. Drag the Selector Tool () onto the Targets list in the target workbook to display the available target options.

  2. Continue to drag the Selector to the Column option, expanding the available column options.

  3. Select a column option:

    • Current Column - Performs the action to the active column in the workbook.
    • Exact Column - Performs the action to a column specified by the user. An Exact Column can also be accessed by targeting it directly.
    • Column Range - Performs the action to a defined range of columns.

    4. If this is the first time the workbook was targeted, Nintex RPA LE will attempt to create a workbook connection automatically. For more information about Microsoft Excel workbook connections, see Excel.

    A preview of the target column is displayed, along with a button that allows you to modify the column to target based on the column option you selected.

  4. Select the Format Column action from the Actions list.

  5. If needed, click Rules to change the connection for the action.

  6. If needed, adjust the Run Error Task settings and Timing settings to fine tune how the action runs.

  7. Select and enter the formatting options you want to change:

    • Font  - Changes the font of the targeted columns. If your desired font is not found, click the Magic Wand to use the Expression Builder and specify a custom font.

    • Font size - Changes the size of the font in the targeted columns. If your desired size is not found, click the Magic Wand to use the Expression Builder and specify a custom size.

    • Bold - Bolds the text of the targeted columns.

    • Italic - Italicizes the text of the targeted columns.

    • UnderLine - Underlines the text of the targeted columns.

    • Strikethrough - Adds a strikethrough effect to the text of the targeted columns.

    • Fill color - Changes the color of the fill of the columns.

    • Font color - Changes the color of the font of the columns.

    • Horizontal alignment - Horizontally aligns the text of the columns. Optionally, you may choose to Indent the contents of the columns.

    • Vertical alignment - Vertically aligns the text of the columns.

    • Wrap Text - Wraps the text of the targeted columns.

    • Border - Places a border around the targeted columns.

    • Number format - Changes the General, Number, Percentage, Text, and Custom number formats (for example, if you want to make the column a date, type MM/DD/YYYY). If your desired number format is not found, click the Magic Wand to use the Expression Builder and specify a custom format.

  8. (Optional) Add a Note to document special instructions or functionality.

  9. Toggle the run switch to Run and click OK to execute and save the action.

    Note: The run switch is set to Run by default. To create or modify this action without executing it, click the slider to change the option to Don't Run.  For more information, go to Action Builder.