How to create an auxiliary column in cobby

How to create an auxiliary column in cobby

How can I add auxiliary columns?

Auxiliary columns are additional columns that can be added to tables without becoming part of the product data. This auxiliary column is also only visible in Excel. If you want to save a view with an auxiliary column, you can do this using the presets, otherwise the column disappears automatically when Excel is closed.

You can use them to organize workflows: For example, you can store texts in auxiliary columns for translations or use them as a kind of note if you want to temporarily store data that should not be transferred directly. The auxiliary column is particularly suitable for using formulas to pull certain data that should then be entered in the “real” attribute column.

In our example in the demo, we show you how you can create help columns in cobby to add new prices. However, the procedure is also possible for any other use case with texts etc. If you would like to read up, you can find the step-by-step instructions below.

Demo

Step-by-step guide

1. Edit view
As we only want to change the price in this example, you can customize the view so that the other attributes do not interfere with editing. For example, you can hide unnecessary columns.
[Learn herehow to create your own product views.]

2. Add auxiliary column
The auxiliary column now serves as a kind of note in which we store the new manufacturer prices for better data quality control. First create another column, which we use as an auxiliary column, next to the corresponding attribute where you need the auxiliary column. In our case, it is next to the “Price” attribute.

• Right-click on the column name AC of the “Price” column at the top so that the entire column is highlighted and select “Insert cells”.

3. Rename auxiliary column
Auxiliary columns are always displayed in yellow in cobby. We call the newly created column “New price” for clarity.

4. Cut out auxiliary column and price column for moving
The two columns are now cut out and inserted at the front for a better overview.

• Select both columns (here: Price and New price) and click on Cut.

5. Add columns

• Right-click at the top of the corresponding column name where the auxiliary column is to be inserted. Auxiliary columns are always inserted to the left of the selected column. 
  (here: behind the “Type” attribute, i.e. right-click on the E of the Category column).​
• Select “Insert cut characters” to insert the two selected columns there.

6. Change the type of auxiliary column (for formulas)
Change the type of auxiliary column to be able to insert formulas there if required:

• Right-click on the F in the “New price” column.​
• Go to the "Data" tab and click on the data check icon. 
• Then click Ok at the bottom.
• In the following window, click on “Delete all” and then on Ok.

7. Hide all unnecessary columns
For a better overview, it is advisable to hide all columns that are not required.

• First select all the relevant columns.
• Right-click on the column name at the top to open the drop-down menu.
• Then select “Hide”.

Excellent! 🎉

Now you know what the auxiliary columns in cobby are for and how you can create them. You can now use them, for example, to calculate formulas or enter the new manufacturer prices.  
[You can learn how to do that in our course "Enter new prices according to manufacturer list".]