In a database text field, how do I bold or use bullet points?

[Sara Suehs]

I am creating databases to track decisions made and so we can better filter to features and benefits in our large projects. However, it would be ideal to be able to bold and create bullet points within the text field so people can quicker find the information. I have been unable to figure out how to do this, and the database training and database articles have been limited in addressing this question. 

[Peter_DevSamurai · Accepted solution]

Hi @Sara Suehs ,

Unfortunately, for all plans for Confluence Cloud, database text fields are plain text only so you cannot format like bold, italics so it's a limitation. You can use a linked page with excerpt for rich text:

1. Change your text field to "Page details" type (or add one): Database settings > Edit field > Type = Page details.
2. Link to a Confluence page with your formatted text (bold via Ctrl+B, bullets via Ctrl+Shift+8).
3. On that page, wrap key content in an Excerpt macro (/excerpt) for display in the database.
4. In the database, the field shows a rich preview (with formatting) while keeping filter/sort intact.

This mimics rich text without full editing in the field. For multiline (basic breaks), enable it in field config, but no bullets. 

Besides, you can vote for this feature request: CONFCLOUD-79291.

I hope this works out for you :)

Best, 
Peter

[Sara Suehs]

Hi there, 

I am struggling with this approach. It appears I cannot utilize the Insert Excerpt and therefore this approach only works once? I'm not actually able to create multiple excerpts on a page and pull them in. Therefore in a database with 50+ rows I would need 50+ pages, each with one excerpt to make this work? Or am I missing a way to do this?