Tables display your data in rows and columns and form the foundation for most analysis in Analyse data. If you're familiar with Excel, you'll find tables work similarly—though one key difference is that formulas and formatting apply to entire columns rather than individual cells.
Create a new table
To add a table to your workbook:
In the floating UI menu, click Data.
Select Data, then choose Table.
Browse for the data model you want to use. You'll find your data models in AQ Workbooks, organised by product folder (for example, Corporate Carbon Footprint or Supply CHain Decarbonisation). Alternatively, use the search bar to find a specific data model by name or they may be suggested to you.
Hover over a table in the Data Model and select Preview to see available columns, or click directly to add all columns.
Select or deselect columns as needed, then click Add.
Result: The table appears on your page with the selected columns populated with data. You can now add more columns, apply filters, or create charts from this table.
Add columns
You can expand your table by adding columns from the original data model or by creating calculated columns with formulas.
Add columns from the data model
If you didn't include all columns when creating your table, or if new columns have been added to the data model:
Select the table on your page.
In the Editor panel, locate the Columns section.
Click + next to the Columns header.
Select Show source columns.
Tick the checkbox next to each column you want to add.
Result: The selected columns appear in your table, positioned after your existing columns.
Add a calculated column
Calculated columns let you create new values using formulas—for example, calculating emissions intensity from total emissions and production volume:
Select the table on your page.
In the Editor panel, click Add column next to the Columns header.
Select Add new column.
Type your formula in the formula bar (below the toolbar). Suggestions appear as you type.
Press
Enteror click the checkmark (✓) to save your formula.Double-click the default column name to rename it.
Result: The new column appears in your table with calculated values for every row. The formula bar displays your formula whenever you select this column.
For example, to calculate emissions intensity per unit: [Total Emissions kgCO2e] / [Production Volume]
See "Formula basics" for more on writing formulas.
Column operations
You can modify columns using the column menu (▼), which appears when you hover over a column header.
Remove a column
Removing a column deletes it from your table entirely.
Click the column menu (▼) on the column header.
Select Remove column.
Result: The column is permanently removed from your table. Any child elements (charts, tables, or pivot tables created from this table) using this column will no longer have access to it.
Hide a column
Hiding keeps the column in your table's data but removes it from view. Hidden columns remain available to child elements and formulas.
Click the column menu (▼) on the column header.
Select Hide column.
Result: The column disappears from the table view but remains in your data. A Hidden columns section appears in the Editor panel where you can reveal it again by clicking the eye icon.
Rename a column
Double-click the column header to edit the name directly.
Alternatively, click the column menu (▼) and select Rename column.
Result: The column header updates to show your new name. Any formulas referencing this column by its old name will automatically update.
Reorder columns
Drag and drop column headers to rearrange them, or drag column names in the Editor panel's Columns list.
Result: Columns appear in your new preferred order. This affects only the display—it doesn't change your underlying data.
Create child elements
You can create a child element—a chart, table, or pivot table that uses your existing table as its data source—to build charts without setting up a separate data connection. Because the child element is linked to its parent table, it automatically inherits the parent's data and filters. When you filter the parent table, all its child elements update to show only the filtered data.
This relationship is useful for building dashboards where multiple charts need to respond to the same filters, and it helps keep your workbook organised by avoiding duplicate data connections. You can track how tables and child elements are connected using the Lineage View, which shows the relationships between all elements in your workbook. See "Workbook modes explained" for more on accessing and using the Lineage View.
Create a chart from a table
Hover over the table you want to use as a data source.
Click the Create child element icon (appears in the top-right corner of the element).
Select Chart.
Configure the chart type and axes using the Editor panel.
Result: A new chart appears on your page, connected to your table. The Editor panel shows the chart configuration options, and you can see the parent table listed under Data source in the Properties tab.
Create a pivot table from a table
Hover over the table.
Click the Create child element icon.
Select Pivot table.
Configure the pivot rows, columns, and values in the Editor panel.
Result: A new pivot table appears, summarising data from your parent table. Any filters applied to the parent table will also affect this pivot table.
Table styling basics
Format your table's appearance using the Format tab in the Editor panel.
Cell spacing
Adjust the padding around text within cells:
Option | Description |
Extra small | Minimal padding, compact display |
Small | Reduced padding |
Medium | Standard padding (default) |
Large | Generous padding for readability |
To change cell spacing:
Select your table.
Open the Format tab in the Editor panel.
Expand the Table style section.
Select your preferred Cell spacing option.
Result: The table updates immediately to show the new cell spacing.
Grid lines
Control which cell borders are visible:
Option | Description |
No grid | No visible cell borders |
Vertical grid | Borders between columns only |
Horizontal grid | Borders between rows only |
All grid | Borders on all sides of every cell |
To change grid lines:
Select your table.
Open the Format tab in the Editor panel.
Expand the Table style section.
Select your preferred Grid lines option.
Result: The table borders update to reflect your selection.
Row banding
Alternate row background colours (zebra stripes) improve readability, especially in tables with many rows:
Select your table.
Open the Format tab in the Editor panel.
Under Table style, find Banding colour.
Select a colour for alternating rows, or choose None to remove banding.
Result: Every other row displays with the selected background colour.
Header formatting
Customise header appearance including font, size, colour, alignment, and background:
Select your table.
Open the Format tab in the Editor panel.
Expand the Header section.
Adjust font, size, weight, colour, and background settings as needed.
Result: The table header row updates to reflect your formatting choices.
Conditional formatting
You can highlight values based on rules—for example, showing high emissions in red or applying a colour scale to energy consumption data.
Select the table.
In the Editor panel, select the Format tab.
Click Conditional formatting.
Click + Add rule.
Choose the column to format, select a format type (single colour, colour scale, or data bars), and configure the conditions.
Result: Cells in the selected column update to reflect your formatting rules. You can add multiple rules to format different columns or apply layered conditions to the same column.
What's next
Filter data in tables and charts — focus on specific data by applying filter conditions
Sort and group data — arrange and organise your data for analysis
Working with pivot tables — summarise data by reorganising rows into columns