A hydraulic composition is provided. This composition exhibits an improved workability in its coating with a trowel, and accordingly, an improved working efficiency with no adverse effects on its physical properties. The hydraulic composition comprises at least one surfactant selected from anionic surfactants having foaming ability (group A), at least one surfactant selected from surfactants which are nonionic antifoaming agents (group B), and a water-soluble cellulose ether. The surfactants of group A and group B are respectively added at 0.000005 to 0.004% by weight (solid content) in relation to the powder ingredients in the hydraulic composition, and the water-soluble cellulose ether is added at 0.02 to 1.2% by weight of the hydraulic composition.