Ability allows you to hide columns in a table. This can be done very easily as you work in your table (see Hiding and showing columns in a database table). However, whenever you close a table all the columns, which you defined when designing the table, are reinstated. If you want to hide the same columns frequently, it is a good idea to create a columns selection. The selection can then be applied to the table at any time. The columns selection will be applied until you close the table or apply another selection.
To create a columns selection to hide select columns, do the following when in Table Grid View:
Click on the Columns button in the Query toolbar (alternatively, select Columns from the Format menu). The "Format Query" dialog is opened at the Columns page. In the right-hand box, Selected Fields, all the fields in the table are listed.
Click on a column that you want to hide, followed by Remove. The column will be moved to the Available Fields box. Repeat the operation till you have moved, from Selected Fields to Available Fields, all the columns you want hidden. The columns remaining in Selected Fields will be shown; those in Available Fields will be hidden.
You can give this columns selection its own name. Type it in the Name box.
Click on OK and then Yes, when you are asked if you want to define a new columns selection.
You will be returned to the Table Grid View with the new columns selection applied. Note that the name of the columns selection appears in the box to the left of the Columns button on the Query toolbar. When you next want to apply this columns selection, all you have to do is click on the arrow at the right of the box and select the columns selection from the drop-down list. The appropriate columns will then be hidden.
Note that the converse of hiding selected columns in a table is that you show the remainder. This columns selection could just as well be defined as a selection of columns to be shown, rather than as columns to be hidden.
To show columns that you have previously hidden, click on the arrow in the Columns box on the Query toolbar and select Columns - All from the drop-down list. This restores all of the columns in the table.
If you don't want to show all the hidden columns follow these steps:
Right-click your mouse and select Show Columns from the menu. The Columns page of the "Format Query" dialog is displayed.
Click on the columns to be shown and click on Add to move them to Selected Fields.
Click on OK. You will be asked if you want to save the column definition. Click on No. (Only click on Yes if you want to change the definition of the original columns selection that was used to hide selected columns).
The table will be redrawn with the selected columns shown.
You can define a columns selection to show particular columns, which can then be applied to your table whenever you like.