---
title: "Change the field order in an existing report"
slug: "change-the-field-order-in-an-existing-report"
updated: 2026-04-27T19:37:20Z
published: 2026-04-27T19:37:20Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.quickbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Change the field order in an existing report

When displaying a table report, you can change the order of columns directly on the report display. To make changes to a report that's been embedded on a form, you must display the standalone report. You can then make the changes described in this article.

**Note:** You can't change column settings of an embedded report when viewing it on the app Home page or a form. It may look like you'll be able to move columns, but you can't save your changes when working with an embedded report. For instance, if you drag and drop a column to a new position on a report that's been embedded on your app's Home page, it will appear that you've moved the column. However, when you navigate away from the Home page, and then return again, you'll see that the change you thought you made didn't take place.

## To change column settings on the report itself

Quickbase lets you rearrange a report with easy-to-use click and drag editing features.

You can:

- **Move a column** by clicking on its heading and dragging it to the desired location. Or click the ![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/rptmenu(2).png) button in the column heading and within the menu that appears, select **Move this column**. Quickbase outlines the column heading in yellow. Click and drag it to the new location (shown by the green line in the image below).

![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/move_column.png)
- **Hide a column** by clicking ![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/rptmenu(2).png) in a report column heading and, within the menu that appears, selecting **Hide this column**.
- **Add a column** by clicking ![](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/rptmenu(2).png) in a report column heading and, within the menu that appears, select **Add a column**. Choose a field from the list that displays. Quickbase inserts the column to the right of the column you clicked on.

[Read more about making changes directly on a report display](/v1/docs/edit-a-legacy-table-report).

To change column settings within the Report Builder:

1. Display the report to change. Click a table name, then click **Reports & Charts**on the Page bar to open the reports panel. Click a report name to open it.
2. Click **Customize this Report** on the Page bar.
3. Select columns to display and set their order.

The **Columns**section controls field order within a report. If **Default columns** is selected, click **Custom columns** radio button instead.

You can select specific columns to display and set their order from left to right. [**Read how**](/v1/docs/displaying-columns).
4. When you are done selecting and ordering fields, click **Save**.

---

### FAQ

### I edited a report and saved it, but Quickbase reverts to the old format. Why won't the program save my changes?

In certain situations (like when you click a [report link](/v1/docs/what-are-table-to-table-relationships#fieldtypes) field, or when you conduct a [Find](/v1/docs/search-your-app) operation, for example) Quickbase displays results using reporting defaults you specify for each table. You cannot change these defaults by clicking the **Customize this Report** link or rearranging columns directly on the screen. When you do so, Quickbase actually creates a new report, but makes no changes to your reporting defaults. You can indeed change reporting defaults, however. [Read how](/v1/docs/setting-reporting-defaults).