thatoneguy006 · Sep 27, 2026 · Sep 5, 2026 · Sep 5, 2026 · Sep 27, 2026
diff --git a/DESCRIPTION b/DESCRIPTION
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 Package: ggforestplotR
 Title: Publication-Ready Forest Plots with 'ggplot2'
-Version: 0.5.0
+Version: 0.5.0.9000
 Authors@R:
     person(given = "Carson",
            family = "Richardson",
@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ Config/testthat/edition: 3
 Config/Needs/website: pkgdown
 URL: https://thatoneguy006.github.io/ggforestplotR/, https://github.com/thatoneguy006/ggforestplotR
 BugReports: https://github.com/thatoneguy006/ggforestplotR/issues
-Config/roxygen2/version: 8.0.0
+Config/roxygen2/version: 8.1.0
diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
@@ -1,3 +1,13 @@
+# ggforestplotR (development version)
+
+- Added semantic forest row types (`estimate`, `reference`, `header`, `summary`,
+  and `spacer`) so tables can contain reference categories and structural rows
+  without fabricated plot geometry.
+- Added vectorized `formatters` to both table helpers for estimates, confidence
+  bounds, p-values, and preserved source columns. Digit settings and text
+  templates remain available.
+- Added `reference_text` to both table helpers to customize reference cells.
+
 # ggforestplotR 0.5.0
 
 ## Breaking Changes
@@ -12,7 +22,7 @@
 - Added explicit `subgroup` mappings for mixed hierarchical displays, allowing
   standalone covariates and categorical subgroups to share a forest
   plot. Subgroup p-values can be delegated as "overall" or "level" via `p_method`
-  in `tidy_forest_model()`.
+  in `tidy_forest_model()` (#11)
 - Added covariance-aware subgroup effects for fitted interaction models.
   `tidy_forest_model()` and fitted-model `as_forest_data()` methods now use
   `marginaleffects` to derive average slopes or comparisons from the original
@@ -37,10 +47,10 @@
 
 - Added the `forest_data` S3 class as the package's stable interchange format.
   It stores validated effect-scale, axis, confidence-level, reference-value,
-  source-model, source-package, and source-column metadata.
+  source-model, source-package, and source-column metadata. (#17)
 - Converted `as_forest_data()` into an S3 generic with methods for data frames,
   existing `forest_data` objects, linear and generalized linear models, Cox
-  models, and supported mixed-model classes.
+  models, and supported mixed-model classes. (#19)
 - Refactored `ggforestplot()` to consume the `forest_data` contract instead of
   determining plotting behavior from the original model class.
 - Added `forest_metadata()` for inspecting the semantic and provenance
@@ -92,12 +102,12 @@
 
 - Added mixed-model support for `tidy_forest_model()` and `ggforestplot()`
   when `broom.mixed` is installed. Mixed-model tidiers are restricted to fixed
-  effects so random-effect parameter rows are not plotted as terms.
+  effects so random-effect parameter rows are not plotted as terms. (#21)
 - Added confidence interval truncation support to `ggforestplot()` via
   `ci_limits`, with optional arrowheads for intervals extending beyond the
-  displayed range.
+  displayed range. (#18)
 - Added `bind_forest_models()` to stack multiple fitted models into one
-  grouped forest-plot data frame.
+  grouped forest-plot data frame. (#16)
 
 ## Minor Changes
 
@@ -112,59 +122,87 @@
 - Faceted `ggforestplot()` output now respects factor level order in the
   `facet` column, allowing users to control facet ordering directly from their
   data.
-- Fixed faceted `ggforestplot()` output when users add `scale_y_discrete(limits = ...)`, preserving per-facet row filtering while accepting visible term labels.
+- Fixed faceted `ggforestplot()` output when users add 
+  `scale_y_discrete(limits = ...)`, preserving per-facet row filtering while 
+  accepting visible term labels. (#20)
 
 # ggforestplotR 0.2.1
 
 ## Breaking Changes
 
-- Simplified the reference-line API in `ggforestplot()`: `ref_line` now takes the numeric reference value directly, and `NULL` hides the line.
-- Replaced the older reference-line arguments with `ref_label`, `ref_linetype`, and `ref_color`.
+- Simplified the reference-line API in `ggforestplot()`: `ref_line` now takes 
+  the numeric reference value directly, and `NULL` hides the line.
+- Replaced the older reference-line arguments with `ref_label`, `ref_linetype`, 
+  and `ref_color`.
 
 ## Major Changes
 
-- Added `facet` and `facet_strip_position` as clearer names for grouped plot panels. The older `grouping` and `grouping_strip_position` arguments now warn and continue to work.
-- Added `linewidth` for confidence interval widths. The older `line_size` argument now warns and continues to work.
-- Added deprecation warnings for table-display shortcuts in favor of explicit `columns`, `left_columns`, and `right_columns` selections.
+- Added `facet` and `facet_strip_position` as clearer names for grouped plot 
+  panels. The older `grouping` and `grouping_strip_position` arguments now warn 
+  and continue to work.
+- Added `linewidth` for confidence interval widths. The older `line_size` 
+  argument now warns and continues to work.
+- Added deprecation warnings for table-display shortcuts in favor of explicit 
+  `columns`, `left_columns`, and `right_columns` selections.
 
 ## Minor Changes
 
-- Added `stripe_alpha` to control row stripe transparency across plots, side tables, and split tables.
-- Updated table helpers so they inherit custom y-axis ordering and filtering from the trained forest plot scale.
-- Updated vignettes and tests to use the clearer faceting and geometry argument names.
+- Added `stripe_alpha` to control row stripe transparency across plots, 
+  side tables, and split tables. (#7)
+- Updated table helpers so they inherit custom y-axis ordering and filtering 
+  from the trained forest plot scale. (#9)
+- Updated vignettes and tests to use the clearer faceting and geometry argument 
+  names.
 
 # ggforestplotR 0.2.0
 
 ## Major Changes
 
-- Added separate table formatting controls for point estimates, confidence interval bounds, and p-values via `estimate_digits`, `interval_digits`, and `p_digits`.
-- Added `ref_line`, `ref_line_value`, and `ref_line_label` to standardize reference-line naming while keeping `zero_line` arguments backward compatible.
+- Added separate table formatting controls for point estimates, 
+  confidence interval bounds, and p-values via `estimate_digits`, 
+  `interval_digits`, and `p_digits`.
+- Added `ref_line`, `ref_line_value`, and `ref_line_label` to standardize 
+  reference-line naming while keeping `zero_line` arguments backward compatible.
 - Added `term_labels`, a named-vector relabeling helper for displayed model terms.
-- Expanded `add_forest_table(columns = ...)` and split-table column selection to support arbitrary preserved data columns in addition to built-in columns.
-- Added `column_labels`, a named-vector helper for relabeling displayed table column headers.
-- Added a built-in `ci` table column and `ci_fmt` so users can display point estimates and confidence intervals in separate columns. `conf.low` and `conf.high` are accepted as aliases for `ci`.
+- Expanded `add_forest_table(columns = ...)` and split-table column selection to
+  support arbitrary preserved data columns in addition to built-in columns.
+- Added `column_labels`, a named-vector helper for relabeling displayed table 
+  column headers.
+- Added a built-in `ci` table column and `ci_fmt` so users can display point 
+  estimates and confidence intervals in separate columns. `conf.low` and 
+  `conf.high` are accepted as aliases for `ci`.
 
 ## Minor Changes
 
-- Added model-aware default effect labels and scales, including odds ratios for binomial logit models and hazard ratios for Cox models.
+- Added model-aware default effect labels and scales, including odds ratios for 
+  binomial logit models and hazard ratios for Cox models.
 
 # ggforestplotR 0.1.1
 
 ## Minor Changes
 
-- Added `events` column support across `ggforestplot()`, `as_forest_data()`, `add_forest_table()`, and `add_split_table()`. (Thanks @sritchie73 for the suggestion)
-- Added table header styling controls for font size, font face, and font family in both table helpers. (Thanks @sritchie73 for the suggestion)
-- Split table composition code into dedicated source files to simplify maintenance of the public API.
-- Refined split-table examples and documentation to match the expanded numeric column mapping.
+- Added `events` column support across `ggforestplot()`, `as_forest_data()`, 
+  `add_forest_table()`, and `add_split_table()`. (#2) (#3)
+  (Thanks @sritchie73 for the suggestion)
+- Added table header styling controls for font size, font face, and font family 
+  in both table helpers. (Thanks @sritchie73 for the suggestion)
+- Split table composition code into dedicated source files to simplify 
+  maintenance of the public API.
+- Refined split-table examples and documentation to match the expanded numeric 
+  column mapping.
 
 # ggforestplotR 0.1.0
 
 ## Major Changes
 
-- Refined split-table layout logic, including dynamic panel widths from column counts, alignment controls, and cleaner stripe/background handling.
-- `add_forest_table()` now allows for custom column ordering via the `columns` argument.
-- Converted package documentation to roxygen-generated `NAMESPACE` and `.Rd` files.
-- Reworked package documentation, including pkgdown configuration, README installation guidance, and the vignette set.
+- Refined split-table layout logic, including dynamic panel widths from column 
+  counts, alignment controls, and cleaner stripe/background handling.
+- `add_forest_table()` now allows for custom column ordering via the `columns`
+  argument.
+- Converted package documentation to roxygen-generated `NAMESPACE` and `.Rd` 
+  files.
+- Reworked package documentation, including pkgdown configuration, README 
+  installation guidance, and the vignette set.
 
 # ggforestplotR 0.0.0.9000
 

diff --git a/R/add_forest_table.R b/R/add_forest_table.R
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
                                   p_digits = NULL,
                                   estimate_fmt = NULL,
                                   ci_fmt = NULL,
+                                  formatters = NULL,
+                                  reference_text = "Reference",
                                   text_size = NULL,
                                   header_text_size = NULL,
                                   header_fontface = "bold",
@@ -140,6 +142,8 @@
     p_digits = digits$p_digits,
     estimate_fmt = estimate_fmt,
     ci_fmt = ci_fmt,
+    formatters = formatters,
+    reference_text = reference_text,
     columns = table_columns,
     display_data = display_data
   )
@@ -251,6 +255,13 @@
 #'   `columns` includes `"ci"`. Use `{conf.low}` and `{conf.high}` as
 #'   placeholders. The shorthand `{conf.low, conf.high}` is also supported.
 #'   Defaults to `"({conf.low}, {conf.high})"`.
+#' @param formatters Named list of vectorized functions for scalar table
+#'   values. Keys include `estimate`, `ci`, `conf.low`, `conf.high`, `p`
+#'   (or `p.value`), `n`, `events`, `group`, and preserved source columns.
+#'   Each function receives a vector and returns one value per input.
+#'   Functions take precedence over digit settings; `estimate_fmt` and
+#'   `ci_fmt` compose the resulting strings.
+#' @param reference_text Text shown in estimate cells for reference rows.
 #' @param text_size Text size for table contents. Defaults to `3.2`.
 #' @param header_text_size Header text size for table column labels. Defaults
 #'   to `11`.
@@ -317,6 +328,8 @@ add_forest_table <- function(plot = NULL,
                              p_digits = NULL,
                              estimate_fmt = NULL,
                              ci_fmt = NULL,
+                             formatters = NULL,
+                             reference_text = "Reference",
                              text_size = NULL,
                              header_text_size = NULL,
                              header_fontface = "bold",
@@ -361,6 +374,8 @@ add_forest_table <- function(plot = NULL,
         p_digits = p_digits,
         estimate_fmt = estimate_fmt,
         ci_fmt = ci_fmt,
+        formatters = formatters,
+        reference_text = reference_text,
         text_size = text_size,
         header_text_size = header_text_size,
         header_fontface = header_fontface,
@@ -396,6 +411,8 @@ add_forest_table <- function(plot = NULL,
     p_digits = p_digits,
     estimate_fmt = estimate_fmt,
     ci_fmt = ci_fmt,
+    formatters = formatters,
+    reference_text = reference_text,
     text_size = text_size,
     header_text_size = header_text_size,
     header_fontface = header_fontface,

diff --git a/R/add_split_table.R b/R/add_split_table.R
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
                                  p_digits = NULL,
                                  estimate_fmt = NULL,
                                  ci_fmt = NULL,
+                                 formatters = NULL,
+                                 reference_text = "Reference",
                                  text_size = NULL,
                                  header_text_size = NULL,
                                  header_fontface = "bold",
@@ -144,6 +146,8 @@
     p_digits = digits$p_digits,
     estimate_fmt = estimate_fmt,
     ci_fmt = ci_fmt,
+    formatters = formatters,
+    reference_text = reference_text,
     columns = resolved_left,
     display_data = display_data
   )
@@ -161,6 +165,8 @@
     p_digits = digits$p_digits,
     estimate_fmt = estimate_fmt,
     ci_fmt = ci_fmt,
+    formatters = formatters,
+    reference_text = reference_text,
     columns = resolved_right,
     display_data = display_data
   )
@@ -329,6 +335,12 @@
 #'   table columns include `"ci"`. Use `{conf.low}` and `{conf.high}` as
 #'   placeholders. The shorthand `{conf.low, conf.high}` is also supported.
 #'   Defaults to `"({conf.low}, {conf.high})"`.
+#' @param formatters Named list of vectorized functions for scalar table
+#'   values. Keys include `estimate`, `ci`, `conf.low`, `conf.high`, `p`
+#'   (or `p.value`), `n`, `events`, `group`, and preserved source columns.
+#'   Functions take precedence over digit settings; `estimate_fmt` and
+#'   `ci_fmt` compose the resulting strings.
+#' @param reference_text Text shown in estimate cells for reference rows.
 #' @param text_size Text size for table contents. Defaults to `3.2`.
 #' @param header_text_size Header text size for table column labels. Defaults
 #'   to `11`.
@@ -396,6 +408,8 @@ add_split_table <- function(plot = NULL,
                             p_digits = NULL,
                             estimate_fmt = NULL,
                             ci_fmt = NULL,
+                            formatters = NULL,
+                            reference_text = "Reference",
                             text_size = NULL,
                             header_text_size = NULL,
                             header_fontface = "bold",
@@ -435,6 +449,8 @@ add_split_table <- function(plot = NULL,
         p_digits = p_digits,
         estimate_fmt = estimate_fmt,
         ci_fmt = ci_fmt,
+        formatters = formatters,
+        reference_text = reference_text,
         text_size = text_size,
         header_text_size = header_text_size,
         header_fontface = header_fontface,
@@ -467,6 +483,8 @@ add_split_table <- function(plot = NULL,
     p_digits = p_digits,
     estimate_fmt = estimate_fmt,
     ci_fmt = ci_fmt,
+    formatters = formatters,
+    reference_text = reference_text,
     text_size = text_size,
     header_text_size = header_text_size,
     header_fontface = header_fontface,

diff --git a/R/as_forest_data.R b/R/as_forest_data.R
@@ -13,6 +13,11 @@
 #' @param term_labels Optional named vector used to relabel displayed terms.
 #'   Names should match values in the term column and values are the labels to
 #'   display.
+#' @param row_type Optional column name defining semantic rows: `"estimate"`,
+#'   `"reference"`, `"header"`, `"summary"`, or `"spacer"`. Estimate and
+#'   summary rows require finite estimate and CI values; other rows require
+#'   missing geometry. Structured rows retain source order, so use
+#'   `sort_terms = "none"`. If omitted, all rows are estimates.
 #' @param group Optional column name used for color-grouping multiple
 #'   estimates per row. If this column is a factor, its levels control the
 #'   group legend and vertical dodge order.
@@ -122,6 +127,9 @@ as_forest_data.forest_data <- function(data,
   if (!"label" %in% names(out)) {
     out$label <- out$term
   }
+  if (!"row_type" %in% names(out)) {
+    out$row_type <- rep("estimate", nrow(out))
+  }
   if (!is.null(p_method)) {
     stop(
       "`p_method` is already defined by the `forest_data` metadata.",
@@ -188,6 +196,7 @@ as_forest_data.data.frame <- function(data,
                                       sort_terms = c("none", "descending", "ascending"),
                                       subgroup = NULL,
                                       p_method = c("overall", "level"),
+                                      row_type = NULL,
                                       ...) {
   if (!inherits(data, "data.frame")) {
     stop(
@@ -239,6 +248,7 @@ as_forest_data.data.frame <- function(data,
     conf.low = resolve_column(data, conf.low, "conf.low"),
     conf.high = resolve_column(data, conf.high, "conf.high"),
     label = resolve_column(data, label, "label", required = FALSE),
+    row_type = resolve_column(data, row_type, "row_type", required = FALSE),
     group = resolve_column(data, group, "group", required = FALSE),
     subgroup = resolve_column(data, subgroup, "subgroup", required = FALSE),
     grouping = resolve_column(data, grouping, "grouping", required = FALSE),
@@ -269,6 +279,13 @@ as_forest_data.data.frame <- function(data,
     as.character(data[[cols$label]])
   }
   out$label <- apply_term_labels(out$term, out$label, term_labels)
+  out$row_type <- if (is.null(cols$row_type)) {
+    rep("estimate", nrow(out))
+  } else {
+    normalize_forest_row_type(data[[cols$row_type]])
+  }
+  out$term[out$row_type == "spacer" & is.na(out$term)] <- ""
+  out$label[out$row_type == "spacer" & is.na(out$label)] <- ""
 
   out$group <- if (is.null(cols$group)) {
     NA_character_