# Result display directives

A suffix on a column alias tells the grid how to draw that column. The query stays plain SQL, the stored value stays what it was, and copy and export use the raw value.

## Where to find it

| Action | How |
| --- | --- |
| Add a directive | A column alias in any query, such as `total AS "total__format__money"` |
| Turn directives on or off | `Preferences` > `Data` > `Interpret display directives in column aliases` |
| Allow image thumbnails | `Preferences` > `Data` > `Load remote image previews` |
| Set the currency for money | `Preferences` > `Data` > `Default currency` |
| Show one column's alias literally | Right-click the heading, then `Treat alias as plain text` |
An alias takes the form `label__namespace__directive`, with exactly two underscores between parts and optional arguments after the directive. The namespace is `format` for a formatter or `goto` for a link to another table. The heading shows only the label, so `total__format__money` appears as `total`.

![A query on orders with money, unixtime and enum aliases, and a result whose total, placed_unix and status columns show currency amounts, local dates and times, and labels such as Pending and Shipped.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/result-directives/01-money-unixtime-enum.png)

_The headings keep the label while the cells change how they look._

## Formatters

| Alias | Draws |
| --- | --- |
| `in_print__format__check` | A check for true and a cross for false |
| `website__format__link` | The URL as a link that opens in your browser |
| `email__format__email` | The address as a link that starts a message in your mail app |
| `total__format__money__EUR` | The number as currency, or in the `Default currency` when the alias names none |
| `on_hand__format__progress` | A bar with the value and its maximum, 100 unless the alias adds one such as `__10` |
| `rating__format__stars` | Stars out of 5, or out of a maximum the alias adds |
| `placed_unix__format__unixtime` | A local date and time from seconds since the epoch, or `__ms`, `__us` or `__ns` |
| `cover__format__image__64` | A thumbnail of an image URL at the given size in pixels |
| `status__format__enum__order_status` | The label that `enums.json` gives the stored value |
Formatters combine freely in one result. A value a formatter cannot draw stays plain text, and a NULL stays an empty cell.

![A result joining reviews, books, inventory and authors, with rating drawn as stars, on_hand as progress bars with values out of 100, website as links, and in_print as checks and one cross.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/result-directives/02-stars-progress-link-check.png)

_Several formatters in one result._

![Customer names beside email addresses drawn as links and a cover column of 64-pixel thumbnails.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/result-directives/03-email-image.png)

_Thumbnails load only when remote image previews are on._

## Enums

The `enum` formatter reads `enums.json` in the app's configuration directory. The file is a JSON array of named enums whose variants map a stored `id` to the `value` the grid shows:

```
[
  {
    "name": "order_status",
    "variants": [
      { "id": "pending", "value": "Pending" },
      { "id": "shipped", "value": "Shipped" }
    ]
  }
]
```

`Enum definitions` in `Preferences` > `Data` shows where the file is and how many enums loaded, with `Reload` and `Reveal file`. Edit the file itself to change definitions. It stays on this computer, and saved queries do not carry it.

![The Data preferences showing the Result display directives switches, Default currency set to USD, and Enum definitions reading 1 enum loaded with Reload and Reveal file.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/result-directives/07-enum-definitions.png)

_The count confirms that the file loaded._

## Goto

`goto` turns a value into a link to a table on the same connection, filtered to the rows that match it. It takes four forms: `label__goto__table`, `label__goto__schema__table`, `label__goto__table__column` and `label__goto__schema__table__column`. Without a column the target needs a single-column primary key, and a target without a schema is looked up in the current schema, which is `public` on PostgreSQL. Select the arrow in a cell to open the table in a new tab with a filter already applied.

![A result whose customer_id values are drawn as links, with the open arrow showing at the edge of the hovered cell for customer 18.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/result-directives/06-goto-hover.png)

_The arrow appears when the pointer is over a goto cell._

![The customers table open in a new tab with the filter id = 18 applied and one row, Reader Sample 18.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/result-directives/06-goto-destination.png)

_The target opens filtered, and the query tab stays open._

## Completion and diagnostics

Type an alias after `AS` and two underscores, and completion suggests the next segment: `format` or `goto`, then formatter names, enum names, schemas, tables and views. Completion opens on its own for an unquoted alias. The editor underlines an alias it cannot apply, and hovering the underline shows why. The result heading of that column shows a warning icon with the same message.

[Typing customer_id AS customer_id__ offers format and goto, goto is accepted, then bookshop from the schema list and customers from the table list, completing customer_id__goto__bookshop__customers.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/video/result-directives/04-goto-completion.mp4)

_Each accepted suggestion adds one segment._

![An alias ending in __format__nope underlined in the editor, with a tooltip reading Unknown formatter nope and listing check, email, enum, image, link, money, progress, stars and unixtime, and a warning icon on the total heading below.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/result-directives/05-diagnostic.png)

_Unknown names are flagged in the editor and in the result._

## Turning it off

Right-click a directive column's heading and choose `Treat alias as plain text` to show that column's full alias and raw values. `Interpret alias directive` in the same menu switches back. To stop reading directives everywhere, turn off `Interpret display directives in column aliases` in `Preferences` > `Data`.

![The context menu for the total heading, where Treat alias as plain text is enabled below the disabled copy actions.](https://bobbytables.app/docs/img/result-directives/08-plain-text.png)

_The switch applies to one column of this result._

## Good to know

- `Load remote image previews` is off by default, because loading a preview reveals your network address to the image host.
- Copy and export use the raw value in every cell.
- PostgreSQL lower-cases unquoted aliases and cuts aliases at 63 bytes, so quote directive aliases and keep them short.
- Formatting a value never changes the SQL that runs.

## Related

- [SQL editor](https://bobbytables.app/docs/sql-editor.md)
- [Results grid](https://bobbytables.app/docs/results.md)
- [Table data](https://bobbytables.app/docs/table-data.md)
- [Preferences](https://bobbytables.app/docs/preferences.md)