Formatting Cells and Setting the Promotional Path

After a rule is set up, use the Process Cell dialog box to set how cells display in forms, and update the promotional path based on data validations.

To format cells and set the promotional path:

1. In the Format/Data Validation Rule Builder dialog box, click (Process Cell) in the right-most column.

   Note:

   If the Process Cell icon isn't displayed, ensure that the rule is valid and that it permits cell processing instructions. For example, cell processing instructions are included for Else, Range, Then, and Format conditions. The icon isn't displayed until all required columns are selected for a rule. See Creating and Updating Data Validation Rules in Forms.

2. In the Process Cell dialog box, set how the cell should appear in forms if the conditions defined by this rule are fulfilled.

   When the rule is enabled, it doesn't validate unless you specify at least one of the formatting options or a validation message or a promotional path option.

   • To add formatting options, click options in Format Cell for Font and Alignment and Border and Shading. As format options are selected, the Current Format displays how it would appear when displayed on the form.

   • To display a validation message for the cell, enter the message in the Message field. Users see this text when they select Show Data Validation Messages in the context menu that appears when you hover over the cell in the form. It also appears as a link in the Data Validation Messages pane if data cells are flagged by the validation rules and the Show in Format/Validation Messages pane check box is selected. For information on viewing and resolving data validation errors, see Working with Planning.

   • To update the approval unit promotional path based on the data validation rule specified for the cell, select an Approvals option.

     You can leave the option as None to specify no changes to the promotional path, if the data cell is in a technically valid state and you're only updating the cell background color or specifying a validation message. You can also select Update Promotional Path or Do Not Promote (to prevent the approval unit from being promoted if the condition is fulfilled). See Modifying the Approval Unit Promotional Path.

3. Click OK.

   Updates for the rule are displayed in the Process column for the rule. If you specified formatting, that formatting is displayed. You can preview a validation message by hovering the cursor over the Process column.