Formatting disk drive data using format field elements (FFEs). A processing module (which can be a general purpose processor or a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) processor) is employed to generate FFEs that are employed to govern operation of the various data formatting modules within a formatting system within a HDD. The determination of when a data formatting module stops operating in accordance with a first FFE and begins operating in accordance with a second FFE can be a predetermined period of time, a number of operations being performed, the meeting of some condition, or some other means. Each FFE can be viewed as being a multi-dimensional instruction that not only includes a configuration for a data formatting module, but also includes the conditions by which the configuration is to be governed by a subsequent FFE, among other things.