Visible columns in a list
This page documents the expected behavior for the visible columns in a list. When editing a list's query, the "Show columns" selections maintain the list default values (the values set the last time the query was created/edited are retained).
What determines the visible columns for a List?
1. Entity type (ET) default columns
Each entity type (record type) has a default set of visible columns.
These ET default columns appear initially when:
Testing a query
Saving a new list
2. List default columns (list-specific-settings)
When building a query:
Any field used in the query is automatically added to the visible columns.
Users can adjust visible columns by selecting “Show columns” and checking/unchecking fields.
When the user clicks “Run query & save”, the current visible columns are saved as the list default columns.
These list default columns:
Override the ET default columns
Are shared across all users who access the list
Are used when viewing results from the list detail screen after the initial refresh
Note: List default columns overwrite ET default columns for that list
3. List visible columns (user-specific settings)
Users can further customize visible columns on the list detail screen:
Go to Actions → Show columns to select/deselect fields.
These selections are saved as list visible columns, which:
Override the list default columns
Are stored in the browser’s local storage
Are shared across users on the same browser (e.g., colleagues sharing a Chrome session)
Are not shared across different browsers
Are cleared when browser history/data is reset
Persist in incognito mode until the browser is closed
Note: Changes to list default columns will overwrite list visible columns.
See examples in scenarios 4 & 5 below
What happens when I edit the query for a list?
To edit the query on an existing list:
Go to Actions → Edit list.
You’ll be able to:
Edit basic list details
View matching records (columns shown are based on list visible columns)
Click Edit query to open the query modal, pre-populated with the current query parameters
Outcomes based on your actions
🟢 Scenario 1: No changes made
Click Test query without modifying anything:
Columns in query preview = list default columns
Click Run query & save:
Columns in list detail (after list refresh completes) = list visible columns
🔴 Scenario 2: Remove a query parameter
Remove a parameter and click Test query:
Columns in query preview = list default columns
Click Run query & save without other changes:
Columns in list detail (after list refresh completes) = list visible columns
Removing a query parameter does not remove it from visible columns or update list default columns
🟡 Scenario 3: Add a Query Parameter Already in Visible Columns
Add a parameter that’s already in the visible columns and click Test query:
Columns in query preview = list default columns
Click Run query & save:
Columns in list detail (after list refresh completes) = list visible columns
No change to list default columns
🟠 Scenario 4: Add a New Query Parameter (Not in Visible Columns)
Add a new parameter and click Test query:
Columns in query preview = list default columns
Click Run query & save:
This updates list default columns, which overwrites list visible columns
Columns in list detail (after list refresh completes) = new list visible columns (based on updated defaults)
🔵 Scenario 5: Modify Visible Columns Without Changing Query
Click Test query without changing query
Click Show columns, select a previously hidden column
Click Run query & save:
This updates list default columns, which overwrites list visible columns
After the list refreshes, columns = new list visible columns