diff --git a/node.go b/node.go
index b36ba47..3a0f739 100644
--- a/node.go
+++ b/node.go
@@ -73,6 +73,10 @@ func (s tableSite) isCell() bool {
 	return s.table != nil && s.row != formatRow
 }
 
+func (s tableSite) isFormat() bool {
+	return s.table != nil && s.row == formatRow
+}
+
 // label names the template at path in an error, a cell by its line in the rows file.
 func (s tableSite) label(path string) string {
 	if s.isCell() {
diff --git a/record.go b/record.go
index 4d76149..3b001e7 100644
--- a/record.go
+++ b/record.go
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ func recordOf(n node) (*template, []Column, error) {
 // over sc's draws; a table's columns read the row pinned there.
 func renderRecord(s *generatorState, t *template, columns []Column, sc renderScope) *Record {
 	sc = sc.in(t)
-	if t.site.row == formatRow {
+	if t.site.isFormat() {
 		sc = sc.at(t.site.table.rowNode, &sc.groupDraws().pins)
 	}
 	r := &Record{columns: append([]Column(nil), columns...)}
diff --git a/render.go b/render.go
index abc02b6..9ef18d7 100644
--- a/render.go
+++ b/render.go
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ func traceRead(trace renderTrace, t *template, sc renderScope, a arm) {
 	switch {
 	case t.site.isCell():
 		row = renderedRow{t.site.table, t.site.row}
-	case t.site.row == formatRow:
+	case t.site.isFormat():
 		row = renderedRow{t.site.table, sc.rowOf(t.site.table)}
 	}
 	trace(strings.Clone(sc.group), row, a)