Use custom columns to create dynamic template elements. You can also configure custom columns that can be referenced on individual feed pages. Custom columns save time by applying standardization across campaign structure, targeting, and creatives. The Syntax and Functions requirements and the mathematical Operators are common to both custom column types.
Formulas that define the custom column content can include any custom columns created and saved for the feed.
After a feed custom column is created, it is displayed as a custom column in the "Feeds" table. Select feed custom columns to reference in other custom columns up to five levels in ”width” within a single formula, and up to six levels in “depth”.
A single custom column formula can reference up to a maximum of five other custom columns in its formula. For example:
FCC A1 = (FCC B1 + FCC C1 + FCC D1 + FCC E1 + FCC G1)
No further custom columns can be referenced in FCC A1’s formula.
The following example explains feed custom column “nesting” in a straightforward “hierarchy” six levels deep:
- Feed custom column FCC A is created.
FCC Bis created and references FCC A.FCC Cis created and references FCC B.FCC Dis created and references FCC C.FCC Eis created and references FCC D.FCC Fis created and references FCC E.FCC Gis created and references FCC F.- <end of FCC nesting>.
However, the limitation also comes into play when custom column formulas contain multiple references to other custom columns. For example:
FCC A1= (FCC B1+ FCC C1 + FCC D1)FCC B1= (FCC B2 + FCC C2 + FCC D2)FCC B2=(FCC F1+FCC F2+FCC F3+FCC F4)
Here, FCC A1 references FCC B1 which references FCC B2.
FCC B2 can only reference the four columns shown, making a depth of six, and no more.Configure custom columns in feeds
To view feeds, navigate to tools and settings > Templates > Feeds, and click the hyperlinked feed name. Create custom columns on the page for the individual feed attached to the template. These feed custom columns are reusable.
Configure custom columns in templates
Create custom columns within your templates. Reference saved feed custom columns through a pop-up formula dialog or manually using special syntax when you’re configuring selected dynamic template elements. Template custom columns are not currently reusable but will be in a future release.
Syntax
The following example formula demonstrates basic syntax rules:
"$ " & f:"price_usd"
where "price_usd" is the name of the feed column that contains the prices.
Follow these conventions when configuring custom column formulas:
- Use the & (ampersand) symbol to connect custom column formula elements.
- Enclose static text in quotation marks " ". To create a space in the generated content, include a space within the quotation marks.
- Use standard mathematical notation for operators.
- Apply the syntax for referencing other elements as shown in the following table:
| Column element | Prefix | Example format | Secondary info in menu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard columns | N/A | N/A (for example, Clicks.) | N/A |
| Custom columns | c: | c:"column name" | N/A |
| Feed columns | f: | f:"column name" | N/A |
| Functions | N/A | Describes the function below the stated option. For example, "converts [value] to number". |
Operators
The following table describes the standard mathematical operators that can be used in custom column formulas.
Note: Unlike static text, don’t surround these operators with quotation marks. Operators (such as >=) are a combination of two characters.
| Operator | Description | Result type |
|---|---|---|
| + | Add (plus) | Number |
| - | Subtract (Minus) | Number |
| * | Multiply | Number |
| / | Divide | Number |
| > | Less than | True/False |
| < | Greater than | True/False |
| <= | Less than or equal to | True/False |
| >= | Greater than or equal to | True/False |
| = | Equal to | True/False |
| != | Not equal to | True/False |