Column Types and Response Formats

When building a Tabular Review, each column extracts a specific type of information from your documents. Choosing the right response type ensures consistent, usable output across all rows.

Response Type Reference

Select the response type that matches the data you're extracting:

Type	Description	Example Use
Text	Free-form text output	Party names, clause summaries, descriptions
Boolean	Yes/No or True/False	Does the contract contain an arbitration clause?
Number	Numeric values	Contract value, liability caps, term length
Date	Date values in ISO format	Effective date, expiration date, renewal dates
Single select	One option from a predefined list	Governing law jurisdiction (one of N states)
Multi select	Multiple options from a predefined list	IP types covered (patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets)
Verbatim	Exact language from source document	Specific clause text, defined terms, quoted provisions
Auto	August chooses the most suitable format	When you want the system to infer the best type

Choosing a Response Type

Use Text for open-ended extractions like names, summaries, or descriptions.
Use Boolean when you need a yes/no answer, such as presence checks.
Use Number for quantitative data that will be compared or aggregated.
Use Date for timelines, term tracking, and deadline calculations.
Use Single select when the answer is exactly one option from a known set.
Use Multi select when multiple options can apply simultaneously.
Use Verbatim when you need exact language from the source, such as for comparison or verification.
Use Auto when you're unsure or want August to infer the best format.

Creating Columns

When you add a column, specify:

The name of the data point you're extracting.
The response type from the list above.
For SELECT types, the options to include in the list.
An optional prompt to guide extraction behavior.

Verbatim vs. Other Types

Verbatim extracts exact language from the source document. This is useful when you need to:

Preserve specific clause wording for comparison
Capture defined terms exactly as written
Verify language matches across documents

Other types normalize the output. For example, Text may paraphrase or summarize, while Verbatim preserves the original.

Consistency Across Reviews

Use consistent column typing when creating reusable templates. If you save a review as a template, the column types and options are preserved for future use.