Selective Paste Options for Layouts

Sergi Fernández

In Board, when using the "Copy Layout" function from one table to another dataview, I’ve noticed that the formatting settings also transfer along with the layout. While the aim here is to replicate the structural layout alone, the copied formats often introduce unintended design issues:

1. Unwanted Colors: For instance, changing block distribution to vertical can alter colors, leading to poor readability with mismatched text colors.
2. Time-Intensive Formatting Removal: Manually removing these formats across large dataviews is cumbersome and slows down workflow.

A practical solution could be a selective paste option, similar to Microsoft Excel’s “paste special” menu. This would allow users to choose between "layout only" or "layout with formatting" when pasting. This addition would streamline copying processes, letting developers start with a clean slate as needed, while those who want to transfer formats still have the option to do so.

Helmut Heimann

Hi @Sergi Fernández ,

which version of Board are you referring to?
This might be a bug, since we do have two copy features, one for the layout and one for the format. Those two should not interfere with each other.

Best,
Helmut

Sergi Fernández

Hi @Helmut Heimann,

This is regarding Board 14.1. I first reported this as a bug in Case 00132195, as I thought it wasn't correct that using the "Paste layout" option on a new "Dataview" object, would paste not only the layout, but also some formatting settings. Unfortunately, I was told to open it as an Idea instead.

Best regards,

Helmut Heimann

Hi @Sergi Fernández ,

that suprprises me a bit since it worked that way in B12.

But if you're told to open an idea, so be it. You've got my support for that ;-)

Best,
Helmut