How to Set Up and Configure Columns in Rate Profiles

In Rate Profiles (New, Draft, or Active), users can create and manage columns to capture rate data. The system categorizes columns into Standard (predefined) and Custom (user-created), with distinct rules and permissions for each.

1. Creating and Managing Columns

Users can create custom columns within existing standard groups or inside new custom groups.

Placement: Custom columns and groups can be repositioned easily via drag-and-drop.

2. Column Configuration Panels

When configuring a column, settings are organized into six key panels:

A. Details

• Denotation: Display name of the column.
• Alias: Database identifier. Mirrors the Denotation name, but replaces spaces and special characters (including brackets) with underscores (_).
• Status: Toggle between Active and Inactive. Inactive columns are hidden across the system.
• Column ID: System-generated unique identifier (read-only).

B. Properties (RFQ & Spot Behavior)

Controls column behavior for suppliers during RFQs and Spots (and Spot creation for shippers).

• Visible:

• For LSPs: Determines if suppliers see the column during RFQs or Spots.
• For Shippers: Determines if the column appears on the Spot Request creation screen.

• Read-only: Displays the column as locked/greyed out.
• Mandatory: Requires data entry (only applies if visible and not read-only).
• Inherit:(Suppliers only) Displays pre-filled values to suppliers (e.g., inheriting a Country Code like DE). Disable this for fields that shouldn't leak past values, such as FTL Price.
• Unique: Advanced setting (less commonly used compared to the four above).

C. Options

Controls rate management, import/export, and data behavior:

1. Mandatory / Read Only: Governs data entry requirements during rate uploads to the RMGT.
2. Unique Key Relevant (UKR): Critical setting in Freightos PROCURE. Defines what makes a lane unique, preventing duplicate creation or unintended overwrites when uploading new rates.
3. Import / Export: Controls whether the column is included in Excel exports/imports or skipped entirely.
4. Searchable, Visible, & Overview: Manages visibility across search and summary views without disabling the column.
5. Rewritable: Allows users to overwrite column data directly in the rate profile without re-importing Excel templates.

D. Description

Used to show guidance or comments to suppliers in their quoting Excel files.

Important: Description text must not contain raw rich-text formatting (common when pasting from Word/Excel). Click the pencil icon to enter Source Edit mode before pasting text to clean all formatting automatically.

E. Data Type

Defines the allowed input (e.g., Number blocks text entries). Selecting a data type unlocks type-specific parameters:

• Number: Precision / decimal places.
• Date: Date format.

Note: Data types are strictly locked or restricted to similar types once set.

F. Font & Colors

Adjust visual styling at the column level.

Note: Group-level font and color settings automatically override column-level styling.

3. Restrictions and Limitations

Editing Restrictions

• Custom Columns: Fully customizable at any time. Users can define properties, tags, formatting options, and SQL formulas. Data types can only be changed within a restricted set of compatible types.
• Standard Columns: Editing is limited. Users may update denotations, descriptions, and basic formatting (font, color), but cannot change the data type.
• System Columns: Columns under group type "SYSTEM" are protected and require Admin rights to modify.
• Permissions: Editing requires specific user rights. The Tags tab remains read-only unless granted explicit permission.

Key Limitations

• Deletion: Columns or groups can only be deleted if the profile has no locked collections (e.g., active/existing RFx).
• Early Configuration: Advanced settings like Unique Key Relevant or Rate Option must be configured during initial rate profile setup.
• Unsupported Changes: Making unsupported edits during setup will display a permanent warning icon next to the column.