# Table Column Types and Formulas

> Every table column type, how typed, pasted and imported values are read, choice options, auto numbers, formulas and changing a column's type.

Source: https://docs.theavoxai.com/tables/column-types

Every column in a table has a **type**. The type decides what a cell may hold, how it looks in
the grid, how it sorts and which filters it offers. The same rules apply everywhere: typing in
the grid, pasting, importing, Flows, automations and the API.

## Every type

**Auto number** and **formula** columns are filled in by Avox: you can't type in them, paste
into them or import into them.

## How typed and pasted values are read

You don't need to type values in one exact form. Avox reads the usual ways of writing them and
stores them in one clean form:

| Type | You can type or paste | Stored as |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number, Money | `1234.5`, `1,234.50`, `1.234,50`, `1,23,456`, `₹ 499`, `$12`, `(12.50)` for a negative | A number, rounded to the column's decimals |
| Date | `2026-11-02`, `02/11/2026`, `2-11-26`, `2 Nov 2026`, `Nov 2, 2026`, an Excel date | The day. Whether `02/11` is 2 November or 11 February follows the column's date order (day first or month first) |
| Time | `14:30`, `2:30 pm`, `2pm`, `1430` | The time of day |
| Date and time | `2026-11-02 14:30`, `2 Nov 2026 2:30 pm` | A moment, read in your own time zone and shown in each viewer's |
| Duration | `90` (minutes), `1:30`, `1h 30m`, `1 hour 30 min`, `1.5 h`, `45 min` | Minutes, shown as `1 h 30 min` |
| Checkbox | `yes` / `no`, `true` / `false`, `1` / `0`, `x`, `ticked` | Ticked or not |
| Rating | `4`, `4/5`, `★★★★` | Stars from 1 to the column's most |
| Phone number | `+91 98765 43210`, `0091 98765 43210`, `98765 43210` (with the column's default calling code added, when it has one) | The number with its country code, without spaces |
| Email | `Name@Example.com`, `mailto:name@example.com` | The address in small letters |
| Link | `example.com/menu`, `https://example.com/menu` | A full `https://` address |
| Image link | `https://example.com/photo.jpg` | A full `https://` address |
| Single choice | An option's name, in any capital letters | That option |
| Multiple choice | Option names separated by commas, semicolons or new lines | Those options, in the column's order |

Text cells hold up to 1,000 characters (a column can set a shorter limit), long text up to
10,000. A value that can't be read as the column's type isn't saved, and you're told what the
column expects ([AVX-3468](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3468)).

## Column settings

Open a column's settings from its header menu (**Change type and settings**):

| Setting | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Name** | Up to 60 characters, different from every other column. Can't contain `{` or `}`. |
| **API name** | Small letters, numbers and `_`, starting with a letter. Used by the API and automations. |
| **Required** | Flows, automations, imports and the API must fill it. Turning it on keeps existing rows as they are; empty ones are marked in the grid. |
| **Unique** | No two rows may share a value. Can be turned on only when no values repeat; Avox shows examples if some do ([AVX-3480](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3480)). |
| **Default value** | Filled in for new rows that leave the column empty. |
| **Description** | A note about the column, up to 300 characters. |
| **Type options** | Money: the currency and decimals. Number: decimals and the smallest and largest value. Rating: the most stars (3 to 10). Date and time: day first, month first or year first, and 12 or 24 hours. Phone number: the default calling code. |

## Choice options

**Single choice** and **multiple choice** columns pick from options you set, each with a colour.
A column can have up to 100 options; option names are up to 60 characters and can't contain
commas or semicolons (those separate options when you paste). Rename an option and every row
using it shows the new name. Remove an option and it's cleared from the rows that had it.

When you paste or import a name that isn't an option yet, Avox can add it as a new option.

## Auto numbers

An **auto number** column gives every new row the next number, like `BK-0001`, `BK-0002`. Set a
**prefix** (up to 10 characters), the **first number** and how many **digits** to pad to. Numbers
are never reused, even after a row is deleted.

## Formulas

A **formula** column works out each row's value from its other columns, like a spreadsheet
formula. Write column names in braces:

```text
{Price} * {Quantity}
ROUND({Price} * (1 + {Tax %} / 100), 2)
IF({In stock} <= {Reorder at}, "Order more", "OK")
DAYS({Due date}, TODAY())
```

- **Operators:** `+` `-` `*` `/`, `^` for powers, `&` to join text, and `=` `<>` `<` `>` `<=`
  `>=` to compare (results are true or false). Use brackets to group.
- **Text** goes in double quotes; write `""` for a quote inside it. `TRUE` and `FALSE` are
  yes and no.
- **Dates:** a date plus a number is that many days later; one date minus another is the days
  between them.
- **The result** is a number, text, yes or no, or a date: pick which in the column's settings.
- A formula can use other formula columns, but not its own column, and formulas can't go round in
  a circle.
- Renaming a column never breaks a formula that uses it. Deleting it asks you first.
- `TODAY()` and `NOW()` are worked out when the row is saved.
- Up to 1,000 characters per formula.

### Functions

### Formula errors

When a formula can't be worked out for a row, the cell shows why and stays empty for sorting,
filters, Flows and the API:

| Shows | Means |
| --- | --- |
| `#DIV/0!` | Divided by zero (or an average of nothing). |
| `#VALUE!` | A value of the wrong kind, like text where a number is needed. |
| `#REF!` | It uses a column that was deleted. |
| `#CYCLE!` | Formulas use each other in a circle. |
| `#NAME?` | An unknown function. |
| `#ERROR!` | The formula is too long or nested too deeply to work out. |

## Filters

Each type offers the filters that make sense for it:

## Changing a column's type

Pick a new type in the column's settings. Before anything changes, Avox shows a preview: how
many values convert, how many won't fit the new type and would be emptied, and a few examples
before and after. It also lists any Flow, automation, template or formula that uses the column.
Confirm to go ahead ([AVX-3478](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3478)).

- Every value is converted the way you'd expect: `12` in a text column becomes the number 12,
  `2026-11-02` becomes a date, `yes` becomes a ticked checkbox.
- Changing to a choice column makes options from the existing values.
- Changing to auto number or formula replaces the values with ones Avox works out.
- Flows, automations and templates that use the column are marked **Needs attention** in the
  table's **Used by** tab, so you can check them.

## Related