# Coldef

> [HTML Version](coldef.htm)

This input parameter, "column definition", defines the column configuration layout and other related details of the tree configuration, according to one of three syntax variations: 

•	[Traditional Coldef Syntax](traditionalcoldefsyntax.md)

•	[Simple Multi-Column Coldef Syntax](simplemulti-columncoldef.md)

•	Advanced Coldef syntax

**Advanced Coldef Syntax**

To use the Advanced _coldef _syntax, you must specify the XTF\_COLDFX option in _flags_, and then provide a _coldef_ string in the following syntax:

**cpos~ cwidth~ ctitle~ cformat \{~option1 = value1\{ ~option2 = value2...\} ~~cpos~ cwidth...~~**

This syntax specification consists of a series of column definitions, one per column, delimited by a pair of tildes (~~). Each column definition begins with four mandatory parameters (_cpos_, c_width_, c_title_ and c_format_), each delimited by a single tilde, followed by zero or more optional [Advanced Coldef Options](advancedcoldefoptions.md) using the form (_optionN_=_valueN_). This is admittedly cryptic, but has the virtues of being flexible, easily extensible, compact, and easy to map.

| | |
|------|------|
| **Parameter** | **Description** |
| [Cpos, Cwidth](cposcwidth.md) | Define the starting position and width of the column. |
| [Ctitle](ctitle.md) | Sets column title (header), and optionally, footer text. |
| [Cformat](cformat.md) | Specifies formatting and sorting of column contents. |
| <more> | [Advanced Coldef Options](advancedcoldefoptions.md). |




**See Also**

•	[File Mode Coldef Extensions](filemodecoldefextensions.md)

•	[Advanced Syntax Example](advancedsyntaxexample.md) for tips on specifying column attributes as well as widths

•	[.OFFSIZ\$](offsiz$().md) to simplify determination of _cpos_ and _cwidth_ for structure members