How do I customize the columns in Ads Manager?
In Ads Manager, open the Campaigns, Ad sets or Ads tab, click the Columns dropdown and choose Customize columns. Tick the metrics you want, and tick Save as a column preset if you'll reuse the view, then click Apply. Your saved preset then appears under Column presets in the same dropdown.
The default table in Ads Manager shows a general set of numbers, which may not be the ones that tell you whether your ads are working. Customizing columns swaps in the metrics that match your goal. Meta’s own example: if you want more people to watch your video ad, add columns that show how many people watched it. Save the view once and it’s one click away next time.
How do you choose your columns?
- Click Campaigns, Ad sets or Ads, whichever level you want to change.
- Click the Columns dropdown menu, which sits next to Breakdown.
- Select Customize columns.
- Tick the columns you want to see.
- Tick Save as a column preset if you want to reuse this view.
- Click Apply.
To use a saved preset later, click Columns and pick it from the Column presets section.
Which metric groups can you pick from?
| Category | Examples Meta lists |
|---|---|
| Performance | Results, reach, frequency, impressions |
| Engagement | Page post, messaging, media, clicks and awareness metrics |
| Conversions | Website conversions, website purchases, cost per website conversion, mobile app installs, mobile app purchases |
| Settings | Start date, end date, ad set name, ad ID, delivery, bid, objective |
How do you add every metric for one event?
Meta is gradually introducing a view that groups all metrics for a standard event in a grid. If you have it:
- In the Customize columns window, select Standard events.
- Pick the metrics you want for each event.
- Choose the total, unique, value, cost or unique cost version of each.
- Select Save as a column preset.
Meta says you automatically see relevant channel breakdowns across web, mobile and offline for what you select. You need administrator, advertiser or analyst access to the ad account.
Which presets does Meta already provide?
Meta includes ready-made column presets at the campaign, ad set and ad levels. Performance is the default. Others include Delivery, Engagement, Video engagement, App engagement, Carousel engagement, Performance and clicks, Sales, Offline conversions, Traffic, Messaging engagement, App installs and Agency fee. For example, Meta says the Sales preset shows metrics such as link clicks, link click-through rate, cost per link click, cost per result and purchase return on ad spend. Meta notes some presets are rolling out gradually in some regions.
FAQ
Which column preset does Ads Manager show by default?
Performance is the default preset. Meta says it shows settings such as bid strategy and last significant edit, alongside metrics such as results, reach, frequency and impressions. You can switch to another preset, or your own, from the Columns dropdown at any time.
Why did a column preset I used to use disappear?
Meta retired the Cross-device, Bidding and optimization, and Targeting and creative presets after 5 September 2023. It added Sales, Traffic and App installs presets from 28 August 2023. Rebuild any old view with Customize columns and save it as your own preset.
Can I build my own calculated column?
Yes. Meta offers custom metrics, which you create from the Ads Manager table or from Ads Reporting. They let you set up a formula that matches how your business measures success and analyze the data without exporting it.
Sources
- Customize columns in Meta Ads Manager (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Simplify metrics selection with customized columns in Ads Manager (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- About columns presets in Meta Ads Manager (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- About custom metrics in Ads Reporting (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
Drafted with AI and checked claim by claim against the pages linked under Sources. Found a mistake? Tell us via the corrections policy.