Fix sync errors with formula columns and custom conversion columns

In the new Search Ads 360, formula columns and custom conversion columns have been replaced by custom columns. In January 2021, we started the process of copying formula columns and custom conversion columns in the previous Search Ads 360 to custom columns in the new Search Ads 360.

Using a custom column you can filter conversion columns to specific conversion actions that are “owned” by the account that owns the custom column. This can help you create highly relevant reporting columns for your conversion goals. Additionally, this functionality allows conversion actions that are owned by child accounts to be used in the filters for custom conversion columns.

Although the copying is automatic, there can be some potential actions you might need to take during and after each sync. In some cases, it might not be possible for the new Search Ads 360 to automatically copy and sync a formula column to a custom column.

To see if formula and custom conversion columns could not be synced correctly, check out the Experience hub. The sync status for your columns is listed under Formula and custom conversion columns.

To address these issues, modify or rebuild columns marked with an error icon in the previous Search Ads 360.

Types of sync errors

Most errors in copying a formula column to a custom column fall into these categories:

• Reference to an unsupported system column: The formula column references a system (regular) column that is not compatible with the new Search Ads 360. Edit the formula column so that it doesn’t reference the unsupported system column.
• Reference to an unsupported formula column: The formula column references another formula column that is not compatible with the new Search Ads 360. Edit the formula column so that it doesn’t reference the unsupported formula column or make the unsupported column compatible.
• Use of an incompatible function: The formula column uses a function that is not compatible with the new Search Ads 360.Edit the formula column to use a supported function.
• Use of an incompatible segmentation: The formula column is using a segmentation that is not currently compatible with the new Search Ads 360. Edit the formula column so that it contains segmentations on statistical system columns only, or ignore the error for now.
• Use of too many nested layers: The formula column uses too many nested layers. Edit the formula column so it uses no more than 3 reference layers.

We are continuing to work on adding support for more functions and segmentations in the new Search Ads 360. This means that some errors could be resolved without any action from you.

Fix sync errors for formula columns and custom conversions columns

Fix sync errors in the previous Search Ads 360:

1. Sign in to the previous Search Ads 360.
2. Navigate to an advertiser account.

   Steps for navigating to an advertiser

   1. Click the navigation bar to display navigation options.

   2. In the "Agency" list, click on the agency that contains the advertiser. You can search for an agency by name or scroll through the list.

   3. In the "Advertiser" list, click on the advertiser.

   4. Click Apply or press the Enter key.

   Search Ads 360 displays the advertiser page, which contains data for all of the advertiser’s engine accounts.

3. Above the reporting table, click Columns.
4. In “Available columns”, click Formula columns.
5. Select the formula column that you want to edit.
6. At the bottom of the formula column editor, review any errors and take the appropriate action.

Fix sync errors in the new Search Ads 360:

1. Sign in to your new Search Ads 360.
2. Navigate to a client account.
3. From the page menu on the left, click Campaigns.
4. Above the table, click the columns icon .
5. Click Custom columns to expand the section.
6. Hover over a column that displays a sync error and click the pencil icon when it appears.
7. At the bottom of the custom column editor, review any errors and take the appropriate action.

Common sync errors

The following lists include common sync error messages and how to troubleshoot them. The errors are grouped by the direction of the sync:

• Errors that can occur when syncing from the previous Search Ads 360 to the new Search Ads 360
• Errors that can occur when syncing from the new Search Ads 360 to the previous Search Ads 360

To fix an error, follow the steps in the Troubleshoot column below.

In most instances, you can ignore a copy error if you no longer use the column. Note that the error might continue to appear unless you remove the column.

To reduce the number of errors, you might want to remove columns that aren’t useful.

Syncing from previous Search Ads 360 to new Search Ads 360

The following errors can occur when syncing from the previous Search Ads 360 to the new Search Ads 360.

Error message	Possible Cause	Troubleshoot
This column wasn’t copied or the last changes weren’t synced into the new Search Ads 360. Check back later to see if it copies over in the next sync.	There was a general or an unknown error.	Wait for Search Ads 360 to try the sync again later.
This column wasn’t copied or the last changes weren’t synced into the new Search Ads 360, because it references too many nested layers of columns.	The column is referencing more than three layers of columns. For example, Column A references Column B which references Column C which references Column D.	Do one of the following: Edit the column to reference no more than 3 layers of columns. Remove the column so Search Ads 360 won’t try to sync the column again.
This column wasn’t copied to the new Search Ads 360, because it uses functions or columns not supported there.		Do one of the following: Edit the column to use a supported function. Avoid unsupported functions such as has_label, mid, bmm, regex_match, and is_error. Remove the column so Search Ads 360 won’t try to sync the column again. If you still need to use this function or column, continue using it in the previous Search Ads 360 and let us know that this function or column is important by submitting feedback in the new Search Ads 360.
This column wasn’t copied or the last changes weren’t synced into the new Search Ads 360, because it uses one or more unsupported segmentation types.	Segmentations aren’t currently supported in the new Search Ads 360.	Continue using the column in the previous Search Ads 360.
This column wasn’t copied or the last changes weren’t synced into the new Search Ads 360, because it references too many columns.	The column references more than 5 custom columns.	Do one of the following: Stop using the unsupported column. Continue using the column in the previous Search Ads 360, but be aware that it is not supported in the new Search Ads 360. Try splitting the column into two different columns. Then create a third column that includes the two columns. Note that the third column could exceed the number of allowed layers.
This column wasn’t copied or the last changes weren’t synced into the new Search Ads 360, because it applies the formula before totaling data.	The column applies the formula before totaling data.	Do one of the following: Update your custom column to use the option to apply the formula “after totaling data”. Continue using the column in the previous Search Ads 360, but be aware that this message will continue to appear.
This column wasn't copied or the last changes weren’t synced to the new Search Ads 360, because it uses a metric (for example, “Transactions”) that conflicts with Floodlight activities selected (for example, only “Actions” selected).	Effectively, there is a mismatch between the type of the conversion tags selected, and the metric that was selected.	Do one of the following: Edit the column so that the types of Floodlight activities selected align with the metric. For example, if your custom conversion column uses only counter tags, the metric selected should be one of the “Actions” set. If your custom conversion column uses only sales tags, the metric selected should be one of the “Transactions” set. Stop using the column. Continue using the column in the previous Search Ads 360, but be aware that this message will continue to appear.
This column wasn't copied or the last changes weren't synced to the new Search Ads 360, because it uses a metric (for example, “Transactions”) that is not applicable for any Floodlight activities in the account.		Do one of the following: Edit the column so the metric is applicable for the Floodlight activities in your account. Stop using the column. Continue using the column in the previous Search Ads 360, but be aware that this message will continue to appear.
This column wasn't copied or the last changes weren’t synced into the new Search Ads 360, because the Google Analytics profile was unlinked.	The column uses a Google Analytics profile that was either unlinked or replaced.	Link your Google Analytics profile, or remove the column if you no longer need it.
The column was copied to the new Search Ads 360, but you may see discrepancies in historic reporting if the attribution model is ever modified to non-last click.	This warning indicates that if you change your attribution model to something other than “last click,” you might see discrepancies in historic reporting in this column.	The new Search Ads 360 doesn’t currently support non-last-click attribution for custom columns using custom Floodlight variables, but we’re working towards adding it. Until then, this column will report 0 for any days where it was set to non-last-click attribution.
This column wasn't copied to the new Search Ads 360, because it uses non-last-click attribution with custom Floodlight variables.	The column uses non-last-click attribution with custom Floodlight variables.	The new Search Ads 360 does not yet support custom columns using non-last-click attribution with custom Floodlight variables. This error will resolve itself once the functionality is launched in the new Search Ads 360.

Syncing from new Search Ads 360 to previous Search Ads 360

The following errors can occur when syncing from the new Search Ads 360 to the previous Search Ads 360.

Error message	Possible Cause	Troubleshoot
This column wasn’t copied or the last changes weren’t synced into the previous Search Ads 360. Check back later to see if it copies over in the next sync.	There was an unknown error.	Wait for Search Ads 360 to try the sync again later.
This column wasn’t copied or the last changes weren’t synced into the previous Search Ads 360, because it uses functions or columns not supported there.	The column is not supported in the previous Search Ads 360 or it needs some action by you. A formula is referencing another formula that has already been rejected due to some other issue.	Do one of the following: Remove the column in the new Search Ads 360 so Search Ads 360 won’t try to sync the column to the previous Search Ads 360 again. Continue using the column in the new Search Ads 360, but be aware that this message will continue to appear. Edit the column to use a different formula.
This column wasn’t copied or the last changes weren’t synced into the previous Search Ads 360, because it uses unsupported functions or conversion types.	The column is using conversions in a way that isn’t compatible with the previous Search Ads 360. For example, a conversion column in the new Search Ads 360 can include multiple conversion types (for example, actions and transactions) but that isn’t supported in the previous Search Ads 360.	Do one of the following: Edit the column in the new Search Ads 360 so it only uses one conversion type (for example, only actions or only transactions). Edit to remove the unsupported function to make the column sync to the previous Search Ads 360. Continue using the column in the new Search Ads 360, but be aware that this message will continue to appear.

Related link

• Migrate formula columns and custom conversion columns to the new Search Ads 360