---
updatedAt: 2026-10-15T14:13:26.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://docs.pebblestream.com/llms.txt
---

# template-out-value-type

Marks a **content-kind column**: each record's value in this column names **what** the cells written from that record hold:

`pebblestream:template-out-value-type`

| Value             | Effect                                                          |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `value` (default) | The plain value is written.                                     |
| `formula`         | The value is written as an Excel **formula**.                   |
| `note`            | The value becomes a cell **note**; the cell itself stays empty. |

Blank values fall back to `value`. Number formatting is *not* a value type — it
resides inside the style applied by
[`template-out-style`](template-out-style.md), so the two directives never
conflict.

## Syntax

```
pebblestream:template-out-value-type
```

* No arguments.
* Placed on the **header cell of the column** holding the kind per record — at
  most one column per worksheet.
* Requires [`template-name`](template-name.md) on the same (output) worksheet.
* Cannot share a column with an anchor (`template-out-header`/`template-out-cell`)
  or with `template-out-group`.

## Submitting formula values

Formula values must arrive as **text** so Excel never evaluates them on the way
in. Either form is accepted and normalized back to `=SUM(A:A)` before writing:

```
SUM(A:A)
pebblestream:formula=SUM(A:A)
```

## Example

| column | header   | comment                                |
| ------ | -------- | -------------------------------------- |
| A      | `Item`   | `pebblestream:template-out-header`     |
| B      | `Amount` | `pebblestream:template-out-header`     |
| C      | `Kind`   | `pebblestream:template-out-value-type` |

A record `(Total, =SUM(B2:B9), formula)` writes an actual Excel formula into the
template; `(Total, see note, note)` attaches *see note* as a cell note instead.

## Errors

| Error                                 | Cause                                                  |
| ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `dir-too-many-args`                   | Arguments were supplied.                               |
| `dir-appears-multi`                   | More than one column carries the directive.            |
| `template-out-conflict`               | The column also has an anchor or `template-out-group`. |
| `missing-the-template-name-directive` | The sheet has no `template-name`.                      |

## Related

* [Template directives](template-directives.md) — the output fill flow
* [template-out-style](template-out-style.md) — how the cells look
* [template-out-group](template-out-group.md) — dynamic group formulas