# Dataset XMD labels, values, colors and formats

*CRM Analytics and Einstein Discovery Consultant Study Guide · Data Layer · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/crm-analytics-and-einstein-discovery-consultant/data-layer/dataset-xmd-labels-values-colors-and-formats*

What a dataset's extended metadata (XMD) can change (field and value labels, colours, measure formats and multipliers, the row count label, values-table defaults, hidden fields) and cannot (stored data, API names), plus how to edit it in the UI or by uploading a file safely.

- Certification: Salesforce CRM Analytics and Einstein Discovery Consultant
- Exam section: Data Layer
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/crm-analytics-and-einstein-discovery-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Given user requirements or ease of use strategies, manage dataset extended metadata (XMD) by editing labels, values, and colors.

## What the exam expects

- Decide whether a requirement is a display change (XMD) or a data or API-name change (recipe).
- Relabel fields, values and the row count measure, and keep labels within their length limits.
- Format measures with prefixes, suffixes, rounding, separators and multipliers.
- Set value colours and predict which charts show them.
- Hide fields from builders and choose values-table default fields.
- Edit XMD in the UI or replace the file safely, and keep it working after renames and in multi-dataset queries.

Key terms: **XMD** (a dataset's extended metadata file that overrides how fields and values look); **members** (the XMD array that relabels or colours individual dimension values); **showInExplorer** (whether builders can select a field); **multiplier** (a fixed amount a measure's displayed values are multiplied by); **first loaded dataset** (the dataset whose XMD formats a multi-dataset query).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | One XMD file per dataset | [Configure the XMD](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-edit.html) |
| Label effect | Appearance only; stored data and API names unchanged | [Change Display Labels](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-change-labels.html) |
| API names | Set in the recipe with Edit Attributes | [Transformations for Data Prep](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_recipe_transformations_overview.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Field label length | Up to 40 characters; description up to 1,000 | [Dimensions in XMD](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-reference-dimensions.html) |
| Row count label | "Count of Rows" by default; `derivedMeasures` with field `*` | [Row Count Measure](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-change-count-measure.html) |
| Colour charts | Stacked bar, column, waterfall; others with one measure and two groups | [Change Chart Colors](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-change-chart-colors.html) |
| Values table default | First five measures and first five dimensions, alphabetical | [Values Table Defaults](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-values-table-set-default-fields.html) |
| Hidden fields | Still usable in SAQL, dashboard JSON and the REST API | [Hide Dataset Fields](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-show-dataset-fields.html) |
| File rules | XMD 2.0, at most 5 MB; download a backup first | [Apply Extended Metadata](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_dataset_xmd.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Upload behaviour | Overwrites all customisations; save in UTF-8 | [Configure the XMD](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-edit.html) |
| Multi-dataset query | Formatted with the first loaded dataset's XMD | [Multiple Datasets](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-dashboards-steps-multidataset-xmd.html) |

## Check yourself

- Why is hiding a field in the metadata not a way to protect sensitive data?
- What happens to a dataset's formatting when an uploaded XMD file fails validation?
- When does a colour set with Edit Values appear in a chart?
- Which kind of field can't get a custom display label at all?

## Sources

- [Configure the XMD for a Dataset](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-edit.html)
- [Apply Extended Metadata to Change the Formatting of a Dataset](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_dataset_xmd.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Format Fields and Field Values with XMD](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-formatting-dataset-fields-and-values.html)
- [Change Display Labels for Dataset Fields and Values](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-change-labels.html)
- [Dimensions and Derived Dimensions in XMD](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-reference-dimensions.html)
- [Change Chart Colors for Dimension Values](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-change-chart-colors.html)
- [Change the Labels and Colors of Dataset Dimension Values](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_datasets_dimension_value_labels_colors_change.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Multiply Measures by a Fixed Amount](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-multiply-by-fixed-amount.html)
- [Change the Label for the Row Count Measure](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-change-count-measure.html)
- [Hide Dataset Fields from Lens and Dashboard](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-show-dataset-fields.html)
- [Change the Default Fields for a Values Table](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-values-table-set-default-fields.html)
- [Format the Results of a Query with Multiple Datasets](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-dashboards-steps-multidataset-xmd.html)
- [Transformations for Data Prep Recipes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_recipe_transformations_overview.htm&language=en_US&type=5)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 15 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the CRM Analytics and Einstein Discovery Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams