# Formatting columns

### About data types

Google Sheets has two data type categories: 1) Numbers and 2) Text

<figure><img src="https://2481481593-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FtLaMDbvbGOow76E8CnqW%2Fuploads%2FKnmgl4FNYRoijTvcNphu%2FData%20Types.png?alt=media&#x26;token=274a1602-35aa-472a-83d5-be8235e04542" alt="" width="486"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### How to Format columns

To format a column in Google Sheets simply:

1. Highlight the column
2. Select "Format"
3. Choose the data type

<figure><img src="https://2481481593-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FtLaMDbvbGOow76E8CnqW%2Fuploads%2FzFfgaKcWMAcXFJFSitRC%2FFormatting%20a%20column.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=9419d178-1464-4bd8-aef1-1a3d010c9d8e" alt=""><figcaption><p>Example formatting a column to the Date data type</p></figcaption></figure>

### Why formatting columns is important

In order to two-way sync fields, data types must match across your apps.

For example, if you have a `Date` field in Airtable and want to two-way sync it with Google Sheets, you'll need a `Date` field in Google Sheets.

### Data types in Google Sheets

#### Text

Text fields will two-way sync by default. No additional formatting is needed for:

* Text
* Long-text
* Drop-down
* Multiple Select
* Email

#### Numbers

Number fields need to be formatted in order to two-way sync:

1. Numbers
2. Percentages
3. Dates

#### Bonus: foreign keys

Learn how to use foreign keys in Google Sheets here:&#x20;

{% content-ref url="foreign-keys" %}
[foreign-keys](https://docs.whalesync.com/connectors/google-sheets/foreign-keys)
{% endcontent-ref %}