# Tables, columns and filters

> Add tables to a template and shape what each one collects.

Tables are the data blocks a template collects - *Location Details*, *Sample
Information*, and so on. The **Tables** builder is where you add them and shape
exactly what each one pulls and where it lands.

## Open the builder

In Design mode, click **Tables**. The builder lists the template's tables on the
left; select one to edit it on the right, or add a new one.

## Adding a table

Choose **add** and pick from the data tables available in the project's
configuration. The new table is added to the template, ready to configure.

## Shaping a table

Each table has five things to set:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Columns">
    Tick the fields to include. Only ticked fields become columns in the
    collected data.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Filters">
    Add conditions that control which rows collect - by operator (equals,
    contains, greater than, in a list, and so on) and value. Filters can be
    fixed, prefilled or prompted. See [filters at collection](/calc/collecting-data/filters).
  </Step>
  <Step title="Sorting">
    Set the order rows come out in - for example *Depth* ascending.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Grouping">
    Optionally summarise rows into subtotals and cross-table totals.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Start cell">
    Pick the cell where this table's data begins. Choose **pick start cell**,
    click the cell on the template sheet, and the builder reopens with it set.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Callout type="tip" title="One table, one block">
  Each table writes a contiguous block starting at its start cell, with one
  column per ticked field. Lay your start cells out so blocks do not overlap when
  collected.
</Callout>

## Filter operators

Filters support a full set of operators, including: **in / not in**,
**equals / not equal**, **greater than** and **less than** (with *or equal*
variants), **contains / does not contain**, and **begins with** / **ends with**
and their negations.

## Removing a table

Select a table and choose **remove**. The table and its configuration are
deleted from the template; the underlying project data is never touched.