Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background > Formatting objects, layout parts, and the layout background > Formatting portals
 
Formatting portals
You format portal backgrounds and portal rows separately. You can display a different background in alternating portal rows, for contrast and easy identification, or to display a different background color for the selected portal row when the portal is viewed in Browse mode.
 
To
Do this
Change the background fill of a portal
Select the portal and click Inspector Inspector button, then click the Appearance Appearance tab. In the Graphic area, for Fill, choose Solid Color, Color Gradient, or Image. From the object type list (the first list in the tab), choose Portal: Row. From the object state list (the second list), choose Primary. In the Graphic area, for Fill, choose None.
Note  If your fill setting does not appear in the portal, set portal rows to transparent.
Change the background fill of all portal rows
Select the portal. In the Appearance Appearance tab in the Inspector, choose Portal: Row from the object type list, and choose Primary from the object state list. Then choose a fill for the portal row background.
Display a different background in alternating portal rows
Double-click the portal, then select Use alternate row state and click OK. In the Appearance Appearance tab in the Inspector, choose Portal: Row from the object type list, and choose Alternate from the object state list. Then choose a fill for the portal row background.
Display a different background for the selected portal row
Double-click the portal, then select Use active row state and click OK. In the Appearance Appearance tab in the Inspector, choose Portal: Row from the object type list, and choose Active from the object state list. Then choose a fill for the portal row background.
Notes 
To make portal rows partially transparent, for Fill, choose Solid Color or Color Gradient. Click Shadow color palette button, then drag the Opacity slider (Windows) or click Other Color, then drag the Opacity slider (macOS). You can’t change the opacity for image fills.
Related topics 
Creating portals to display related records
Specifying the display state for an object
Setting the fill, line style, and borders for objects, layout parts, and the layout background
Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with a color gradient
Filling objects, layout parts, or the layout background with an image