---
url: /set-instructions/ignore-new-formatting-on-prior-members.md
description: >-
  A boundary marker - formatting instructions added after this point stop
  applying to elements added before it.
---

# Ignore New Formatting On Prior Members

A boundary marker. A `Format` instruction normally applies to the entire working list built up so far, not just the element it's attached to - which means the last format instruction in a set silently overrides every earlier one unless a boundary separates them. This instruction marks that boundary: formatting instructions added *after* it stop applying to elements added *before* it.

#### Example

```
1. Element: Units
2. Format 0,000
3. Ignore New Formatting On Prior Members
4. Element: Margin %
5. Format 0.00%
```

Without step 3, the `0.00%` format from step 5 would apply retroactively to `Units` too, overriding the `0,000` format set in step 2. With it, `Units` keeps its whole-number format and only `Margin %` gets the percentage format.

![Without the boundary, the later percentage format overrides the earlier one retroactively; with it, each group keeps its own format](/set-instructions-example-ignore-formatting.svg)