---
title: "Create a Flex Grid Object"
slug: "create-a-flex-grid-object"
description: "Learn how to insert a Flex Grid object: choose a Data Model, set the initial Layout, establish Blocks, define row/column axes and default visual settings and drilldowns."
tags: ["Objects", "Developer", "Flex Grid", "Design Mode", "Pivot Mode", "Unbalanced entity", "Layout", "By Row", "Object toolbar"]
updated: 2026-08-05T11:43:32Z
published: 2026-08-05T11:43:32Z
canonical: "help.board.com/create-a-flex-grid-object"
---

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

# Create a Flex Grid Object

Creating a Flex Grid has some similarities to a Data View, however, there are some major differences, for example, grouping values by row is done directly in the Flex Grid instead of in the Layout. To create a new Flex Grid Object, a Developer needs to access a Screen in Design Mode.

The topics covered on creating a Flex Grid are divided into 3 areas and are as follows:

- [**How to create a Flex Grid**](/v1/docs/creating-a-flex-grid-object-1#create-a-flex-grid)
- [**Configure a Flex Grid Layout**](/v15/docs/the-flex-grid-layout)
  - [Data entry](/v15/docs/data-entry-on-a-flex-grid)
  - [Drills](/v15/docs/the-flex-grid-layout#drill-configuration-for-a-flex-grid)
- [**Format a Flex Grid**](/v15/docs/format-a-flex-grid)
- [**Interacting with a Flex Grid in Design Mode**](/v15/docs/design-mode-interaction-with-flex-grid)
  - [Configuring the Fields panel & Pivot Mode](/v15/docs/design-mode-interaction-with-flex-grid#the-fields-panel-pivot-mode-in-design-mode)
  - [Vertical Alignment](/v15/docs/design-mode-interaction-with-flex-grid#vertical-block-alignment)
  - [Grouping](/v15/docs/design-mode-interaction-with-flex-grid#grouping-in-design-mode)
  - [Sorting & Filtering](/v15/docs/design-mode-interaction-with-flex-grid#sorting-and-filtering-in-design-mode)
  - [Tree view for unbalanced Entities](/v15/docs/design-mode-interaction-with-flex-grid#tree-view-for-unbalanced-entities)
  - [Object toolbar](/v15/docs/design-mode-interaction-with-flex-grid#configure-the-object-toolbar)
  - [Column menu](/v15/docs/design-mode-interaction-with-flex-grid#flex-grid-column-menu)
  - [Create a Docked Chart](/v15/docs/docked-charts)

## Create a Flex Grid

To **create a Flex Grid Object**:

1. **Drag and drop the Flex Grid** Screen Object into the Screen area.
2. **Configure the** [**Layout**](/v15/docs/the-flex-grid-layout) by clicking in the center of the empty Object or the Layout icon when selected:
  1. Add Blocks to the Layout and configure their settings, like Color alerts, Functions, Refer to, Total by, Rules, and Nexel, similar to a Data View.
  2. Add Entities to the "By Row" area in the [Axes](/v15/docs/the-flex-grid-layout#axes) tab. Choose the member display mode and whether each Entity should display only members with values or also zeroes.
  3. Add a [Layout Select](/v15/docs/the-flex-grid-layout#select) (optional).
3. **Configure the Flex Grid** from the Object itself in the Screen:
  1. [Group](/v15/docs/design-mode-interaction-with-flex-grid#grouping-in-design-mode) fields by row, add any [sorts and/or filters](/v15/docs/the-flex-grid-layout#sorts-and-filters), and save a default flat view configuration.
  2. Access the Fields panel and enable Pivot Mode to [group](/v15/docs/design-mode-interaction-with-flex-grid#grouping-in-design-mode) fields by row and column, then add any [sorts and/or filters](/v15/docs/the-flex-grid-layout#sorts-and-filters), and save a default Pivot Mode configuration.
4. **Format the Flex Grid**:

## 

##
  1. Configure the capabilities of the Object for an end user in Play mode with the [Flex Grid Object properties](/v15/docs/format-a-flex-grid#object-data-properties-display-options-for-pivot-capabilities).
  2. Customize the [color formatting](/v15/docs/format-a-flex-grid#customize-color-formatting), like the colors, templates, Object toolbar settings, and Block format.

A Developer (aka Designer / Builder / Maker / Power User) is a licensed user profile with elevated privileges.

Developers focus on working in Design Mode to create and configure Capsules, Screens, Layouts, and Screen Objects, including properties, drills, toolbars, navigation, Presentations and Procedures.

They can additionally access Data Model design (Entities, Relationships, Cubes) and limited System Administration.

Compared to a Planner in Play Mode and User Mode (Presentations), this role performs structural editing rather than interaction-only analysis.