Summary:

Learn how to work with the new column properties workflow in Spotfire 14.5+, including tips for editing, formatting, and managing columns efficiently.

With Spotfire 14.5 and later, the way you inspect and edit column properties has evolved. The long-standing Column Properties dialog has been replaced by a more modern workflow built around two complementary surfaces:

• The Data in Analysis flyout for column-level inspection and editing.
• The Data Canvas for transformations, lineage, and model-level insight.

The new structure offers a clearer, more scalable foundation for data editing across Spotfire and prepares the platform for future unified experiences.

Many long-time Spotfire users rely heavily on column properties, so this article explains how the new workflow works, the benefits it brings today, and how to quickly transition with confidence.

Why the workflow change

The legacy Column Properties dialog served users well for many years, but it had limitations that became more significant as Spotfire expanded across multiple clients and data editing scenarios. The updated workflow was designed to:

• Provide a more intuitive, focused environment for column-level actions
• Align the editing experience across Spotfire clients
• Improve discoverability of several powerful capabilities that were previously hidden in menus or dialog tabs
• Create a scalable foundation for future enhancements to editing, profiling, and data organization
• Reduce cognitive switching between multiple separate UIs for column and data operations

By separating column editing (Data in Analysis), from transformations flow and lineage (Data Canvas), Spotfire now provides a more consistent, modern structure for working with data.

What's better today in the new workflow

Although the new experience requires a short adjustment period, it already brings several immediate benefits, including for power users who work heavily with column properties.

Faster access to common column operations

Many actions are now only one click away and do not require navigating tabs inside a dialog. Examples where the new flow is equal or faster include:

• Renaming columns
• Adjusting formatting
• Viewing and editing categories
• Checking basic column information

Access to tools that were harder to find before

The Data in Analysis flyout consolidates several capabilities that were previously scattered or hidden:

• Preferred aggregation method
• Display value configuration
• Replace value
• Column categorization
• Column profiling (distribution, summary statistics)

Power users often tell us they discover features here they did not use previously.

Where to find common tasks now

Below are the most common column-related tasks and how to perform them using the updated workflow.

View and manage column properties

 To inspect or adjust properties for one or more columns:

1. Open the Data in Analysis flyout
2. Select the column(s) you want to work with
3. Open the Details for selected column(s) tab

Here you will find formatting, categories, expressions, profiling, and other properties in a single, organized place.

Edit formatting of multiple columns at once

Starting with Spotfire 14.6 LTS, bulk formatting is supported in the new workflow:

1. Open the Data in Analysis flyout
2. Select multiple columns
3. Go to Details for selected column(s) tab
4. Set formatting for the selected columns

The formatting change applies to all selected columns at once.

Insert new columns (calculated, binned, hierarchy)

These actions are now available from both the Data menu and the Data Canvas, and work exactly the same as before.

From the Data menu

Using the main menu is the fastest way to insert a new column:

• Data > Add calculated column…
• Data > Add binned column…
• Data > Add hierarchy…

From the Data Canvas

You can also insert new columns directly inside the Data Canvas:

1. Open the Data Canvas
2. Select the data table where you want to add the column
3. Click the “+” button next on a data table node
4. Choose Add calculated column, Add binned column, or Add hierarchy

Quickly find inserted columns

You can quickly find inserted columns by using the search bar:

• Search for calculated columns: columntype::calculated
• Search for hierarchies: columntype::hierarchy
• Search for binned columns: columntype::binned

This filters the list to only calculated columns, or hierarchies, or binned columns, even in large or complex data tables.

Edit calculated columns

To review or modify a calculated columns:

1. Open the Data in Analysis flyout
2. Select the calculated column
3. Go to Details for selected column(s) tab
4. Review and edit the expression directly

This provides quick access to the formula without navigating through multiple dialogs.

View and manage custom column properties

Custom column properties are managed at the table level, therefore from the data canvas:

1. Open the Data Canvas
2. Select Data table from the left-side panel
3. Open the Column properties tab
4. View and manage custom properties as needed

This is where you can add, edit, or delete custom metadata associated with tables columns.

Upcoming enhancements to the new experience

We understand that transitioning to the new workflow can raise questions and, in some cases, highlight areas where the experience can be refined. Based on the feedback we received so far, we are already working on a set of short-term improvements to make it better aligned with the way you worked before.

Some of these refinements will begin rolling out soon, and others will follow as part of our ongoing improvements to the Data in Analysis panel and data editing experience.

We will update this article regularly as these enhancements are released, so you can easily see what has improved and what’s new.

If something feels missing or worse than before

During the transition, it’s normal to wonder whether a capability was removed or simply moved. If, after reviewing the article, you still see something that feels missing, harder to use, or objectively worse than before, please let us know.

Your feedback helps us refine the experience, identify regressions, and guide future enhancements.

You can share feedback in three ways:

• Spotfire Ideas Portal for features and improvements suggestions.
• Spotfire Support if something is blocking your workflow.
• Community Forum posts for “how do I do this now?” questions.

We monitor all channels, and your input directly shapes our priorities.