Custom Columns

Custom Columns allow you to add your own fields to the budget for advanced tracking and on-the-fly calculations. They are organized into two types: Tracking Columns and User-Defined Columns.

Tracking Columns

Use Tracking Columns to tag and group budget lines for detailed cost reports. They are perfect for organizing your budget around specific production needs.

• Flexible Tracking: Create columns with custom names to track anything you need, such as Sets, Locations, or Scenes.
• Easy Data Entry: Add unique tracking codes or notes to any line item.
• Instant Reporting: Quickly filter your budget or run reports to see the total cost associated with any tracked item.

User-Defined Columns

User-Defined Columns (U1-U5) are powerful, multi-purpose fields that offer two distinct functions:

• Additional Tracking: They can be used just like Tracking Columns if you need more fields for organizing your budget.
• Line-Item Math: Alternatively, you can set them to perform calculations on a line. Use them to Add, Subtract, Multiply, or Divide, which is ideal for applying specific fees, markups, or discounts directly on a line.

Working with Tracking Columns

Tracking Columns are a powerful way to tag budget lines for detailed cost analysis. Follow these steps to set them up and view your reports.

1. Enable Tracking Columns

First, enable the columns you need from the Details level options menu.

2. Tag Your Budget Lines

Once enabled, simply type a term you want to track (e.g., Scene 1, Car Chase or VFX) into the column on any corresponding budget line.

3. View Your Cost Analytics

To see your tracked costs, navigate to Element Manager > Custom Columns. From here, you have two options:

• Quick Summary: View an instant cost breakdown by line type totals directly on this screen for a high-level overview.
• Detailed Report: For a line-by-line breakdown, click the in-use lines report to see every budget item associated with your tracking term.
• Custom Reports Run a custom report tailored to your needs in the Report System.

Figure: Example of a Tracking Column applied in the Details level of the budget

Working with User-Defined Columns

User-Defined Columns (U1-U5) are flexible fields that can operate in two distinct modes: Tracking or Calculation.

In Tracking mode, they behave exactly like standard tracking columns—simply type text or codes to tag and organize your budget lines for reporting.

In Calculation mode, you can perform math directly on a line's subtotal. First, set a column's function to Add, Subtract, Multiply, or Divide. Then, enter a number on any line to instantly apply that calculation.

• Example: To add a flat $50 fee to a line, set column U1 to Add and type 50 into that line's cell. To apply a 10% markup, set U2 to Multiply and type 1.1.

For more complex needs, these columns also support advanced features like formulas, universals, and data references.

Figure: Example of a User Defined Column applied in the Details level of the budget

---

Tracking Column Table

You can manage Tracking Columns in your budget from the Tracking Columns table.

Tracking columns are available (active) by default. Just enable the ones you want to see in the Details level column view options.

Table Details

Column	Description	Data Type
Column Name	Set the name of the tracking column for use in the budget.	Text
Description	Provides a description for the tracking column. This field is optional.	Text
Labor	Displays the overall real-time total value of all Labor lines assigned to this tracking column in the budget.	Numerical
Purchase	Displays the overall real-time total value of all Purchase lines assigned to this tracking column in the budget.	Numerical
Rentals	Displays the overall real-time total value of all Rental lines assigned to this tracking column in the budget.	Numerical
Allowance	Displays the overall real-time total value of all Allowance lines assigned to this tracking column in the budget.	Numerical
Total	Displays the overall real-time total value of all lines assigned to this tracking column in the budget.	Numerical
In Use Lines	Displays the number of budget lines assigned to this tracking column. Clicking the report icon generates a detailed breakdown.	Numerical
Reset	Resets the column's name and description to their default values. This does not affect any budget data.	Action

---

User Defined Column Table

All settings for User-Defined Columns are managed in the User-Defined Columns table.

User Defined columns are not active by default. To enable a U1-U5 column, select the checkbox in the use column of the table, then enable the U1-U5 columns you want to see in the Details level column view options.

Table Details

Column	Description	Data Type
Use	Enable or disable this column. A disabled column remains visible in the budget but is excluded from all calculations.	Checkbox
Column	The unique, unchangeable identifier for the column (e.g., U1, U2).	Text
Column Name	Enter a custom name to be used as the column header name in the budget.	Text
Description	Enter a description for internal reference. Optional.	Text
Math	Select a math function for this column. Defaults to None for text-based tracking. Options include Add, Subtract, Multiply, or Divide.	Dropdown
Value	Shows the real-time total for lines using this column's math function. Note: This only displays totals for Add or Subtract operations.	Numerical
In Use Lines	Shows the count of budget lines using this column. Click the report icon for a detailed breakdown.	Numerical
Reset	Resets the column's name, description, and math function to their default settings without affecting any budget data.	Action

---

Enable Math Function

When you change a User-Defined Column's math setting from None to a function (like Add or Multiply), a confirmation alert will appear. This is a safety precaution because activating a math function will permanently replace any existing data in that column.

Data Deletion Notice

Enabling a math function will permanently delete all existing text-based data in the selected column. This action cannot be undone. You must confirm to proceed.