# Layout mode

Learn about free-form and cell-based layout modes

## Content

### General

When designing a report, you can choose between two layout modes:

* `Free-form layout` — the default mode that allows you to place report items freely on the design surface. The `Snap to Grid` and `Snap to Guidelines` options can help you align and size items more precisely, but positioning remains flexible.
* `Cell-based layout` — divides the design surface into a grid of cells. Report items occupy one or more cells horizontally and vertically and cannot overlap. Designing in this mode is similar to working in a spreadsheet, which is intentional — the cell-based layout ensures accurate alignment and structure when exporting reports to Excel.

### Switch between layout modes
You can switch between **Free-form** and **Cell-based** layout modes at any time.
1. Select the **Report** tab on the application bar.  
2. Click **Cell-based** or **Free-form** to switch to the desired layout mode.  
3. Alternatively, select the preferred value from the **Design Mode** drop-down in the **Report Properties** panel.  

![](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/afdda688-5055-4898-ad00-23d799cf1cd0/image.cbeadb.png)


### Working with Cell-based mode

The **Cell-based layout mode** divides the design surface into a grid of cells. By default, each cell measures **1 in × 0.25 in**.  
When you switch to Cell-based mode, the dimensions of report sections and items may be automatically adjusted to fit a whole number of cells. In such cases, the designer displays a notification explaining the applied changes:
![image](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/afdda688-5055-4898-ad00-23d799cf1cd0/image.97363e.png)
You can modify the **cell size** in the **Report Properties** and adjust the **section size** and **margins** to achieve the desired layout.
![](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/afdda688-5055-4898-ad00-23d799cf1cd0/%7BF29A7384-57ED-4244-8977-298404563ED5%7D.12f708.png)
Working in the Cell-based layout is similar to working in a spreadsheet: report items have **Column Number**, **Row Number**, **Column Span**, and **Row Span** properties that define their position and size. Report items cannot overlap. All other aspects of report design remain unchanged.

### Recommendations

- **Choose Cell-based layout** when designing reports that are primarily exported to **Excel**, as it ensures accurate alignment between the report layout and the resulting spreadsheet structure.  
- This mode provides **greater accuracy and precision** when positioning report items, since every element aligns with a defined cell grid.  
- Use **Free-form layout** when you need complete flexibility in positioning and layering items, for example, in visually rich or non-tabular reports.