Formatting & Styling Overview
Customize the appearance of your table to match your brand, improve readability, and highlight key insights.
Three Levels of Formatting
SDM Cross Table Tool provides flexible formatting options organized into three levels:
1. Table Options (Basic Display)
Control how the table behaves and displays, including hover effects, row striping, freezing, and column visibility.
Key settings:
- Hover highlights
- Zebra striping
- Freeze panes
- Column visibility
- Display precision
2. Table Style Options (Predefined Themes)
Apply pre-configured professional themes with coordinated color palettes and styling.
👉 Table Style Options Reference →
Key settings:
- Style theme selection
- Color theme selection
- Cell text size
- Row title alignment
3. Custom Element Formatting (Advanced Customization)
Fine-tune fonts, colors, and backgrounds for specific table elements: headers and cells.
👉 Custom Element Formatting Reference →
Key settings:
- Top-level header styling
- Sub-level header styling
- Cell styling
- Font families, sizes, weights
- Custom colors and backgrounds
Quick Navigation
| Need | Go to |
|---|---|
| Control table behavior | Table Options |
| Apply a professional theme | Styles |
| Match brand colors | Custom Formatting |
| Accessibility guidance | Custom Formatting - Accessibility |
| Common configurations | Practical Examples |
Formatting Workflow
1. Choose a Style Theme
↓
2. Adjust Table Options for behavior
↓
3. Fine-tune with Custom Formatting (if needed)
↓
4. Test and iterate
Best Practices
- Start with a Theme: Use predefined styles as a base
- Maintain Consistency: Keep formatting consistent across reports
- Prioritize Readability: Clear data > beautiful design
- Test Accessibility: Ensure sufficient color contrast
- Consider Export: Some colors/fonts may change in Excel
Where to Start
- New to formatting? → Start with Table Options
- Want to look professional quickly? → Go to Styles
- Need specific colors/fonts? → Jump to Custom Formatting
- Building for accessibility? → See Custom Formatting accessibility section