Metadata driven reporting and editing of databases

A computer system identifies an information set stored at a data store. The computer system then identifies first metadata that includes first instructions indicating how the information set is to present a plurality of data items, and second pre-existing metadata that includes second instructions indicating how the information set is to present the plurality of data items. The computer system determines that a portion of the first metadata will override a portion of the second metadata, to create combined metadata. The computer system provides the combined metadata to the information set, including combining the second metadata with the first metadata by at least overriding the second instructions of the second metadata with the first instructions of the first metadata. The computer system presents the plurality of data items in accordance with the second metadata, at least as modified by the first instructions of the first metadata.