> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://www.glideapps.com/docs/essentials/basic-columns/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://www.glideapps.com/docs/_mcp/server.

# Basic Columns

> Add and manage basic data like text, numbers, and images.

Basic columns hold normal data values, just like the data in a spreadsheet. Any changes made to basic columns are synced between the [Data Editor](/docs/getting-started/introduction-to-the-data-editor) and the original data source.

## Available column types

The types of basic columns in Glide include:

* **Text**
* **Number**
* **Boolean**
* **Image**
* **Date & Time**
* **URL**
* **Row ID**
* **Rich Text**
* **Email**
* **Phone Number**
* **Duration**
* **Emoji**
* **Multiple Files**
* **Multiple Images**

## Adding Basic Columns

You can add new basic columns either to your original data source or directly to your table in the **Data Editor**. Adding them in Glide allows you to stay in the **Data Editor** and helps if you want to assign a column type when that column doesn't have data.

In the **Data Editor,** open the table you want to edit.

Add a new column by clicking on the plus (+) symbol to the right of the table. This will add a new column at the end of the table.

* You can also add a new column between existing columns by selecting the dropdown arrow on the column and selecting **Add column to right**. You can drag and reposition all columns to the left or right at any time.

Name your new column.

In the **Type** dropdown, choose the basic column type you want to add.

Once finished, click **Done** to add the column to the table.

## Changing Column Type

#### Tip 4 - Preview Column Type Changes

If you've already created a column in your table, you can change its type by editing it.

In the **Data Editor,** open the table you want to edit.

Click on the dropdown arrow in the column header and then **Edit**.

In the **Type** dropdown, choose the column type you want to change to.

The values in the column will automatically adjust based on the type you select. This is just a preview and won't be saved until you click **Done**.

## Date Formatting Options

When adding **Date & Time** columns, you have the option to configure how this information is displayed.

**Parts:** You can choose to show the date and time, date only, or time only.

**Date format:** The date can be short (1/1/1970, 12:00 AM), medium (1 January 1970 at 12:00 AM), or long (Thursday, January 1, 1970 at 12:00 AM).

**Time format:** Time can be shown with seconds (12:00:00 AM) or without (12:00 AM).

The format of date and time values is specific to your location. For example, the date shows MM/DD/YYYY in the United States and DD/MM/YYYY in the United Kingdom.

> **Note**
>
> If you're using Google Sheets, the original data source will automatically recognize when you enter a date, time, or date and time and apply the correct format to that cell. Glide's **Data Editor** will then recognize this format and automatically assign a **Date & Time** column type. For other data sources, you may need to manually define this column type.

### Convert Basic Columns to User-specific Columns

When adding a new column, you can also enable the **Column is user-specific** option to turn the basic column into a user-specific Column.

#### Basic Columns - Arcade 1

Once a column is set to user-specific, you can't turn it back to a basic column. For more information, see [User-specific columns](/docs/essentials/security-and-user-data/user-specific-columns).

> Add and manage basic data like text, numbers, and images.

## Docs

- [Boolean](https://www.glideapps.com/docs/essentials/basic-columns/boolean.md): Capture and store true or false values.
- [Numbers](https://www.glideapps.com/docs/essentials/basic-columns/numbers.md): Add numbers to your app.
- [Types of Text Columns](https://www.glideapps.com/docs/essentials/basic-columns/types-of-text.md): Add different text values to your app.
- [URL Columns](https://www.glideapps.com/docs/essentials/basic-columns/url.md): Add links to destinations outside your app.