# Create and save columns in Elicit

Create a column for each data point you'd like to extract from your papers. Columns can pull data from the papers' body text or from tables in the papers.

### Find Papers & Research Agent

In updated Find Papers experience and the Research Agent, columns are added via the chat interface rather than the Add Column button. To add a column, simply tell the research agent what column(s) you'd like to add. For example, you can say: "Add a column for study type." The Research Agent will process your request and add the specified column to your results table.

### Systematic Reviews

In Systematic Reviews, you can add custom screening columns and custom data extraction columns.

The **column name** should be a single phrase describing what information you want to extract from the papers in your table, e.g. "Main or primary outcome measured in the study." Do not use internal coding in column names as it can confuse the AI and result in higher usage (e.g., just say "Study Type" not "T01-Study_Type").

The **Instructions** tell Elicit *how* to get the information you want.

- The instructions should contain all instructions that you'd give to a human data labeler.

- The instructions can accept multiple paragraphs of input, so don't worry about your instructions being too long.

- Be as detailed as possible, e.g. "List all interventions that at least some participants received" may be better than "List the interventions that participants received."

- Explain the desired format of the answer, for instance:

  - **Level of precision**: "Be as precise as possible (i.e. '50 hours' is better than '2 days'.)\"

  - **Multiple choice answers**: "The answer should be one of: Both Genders, Male, or Female."

  - **Numerical formats**: "Give your answer in the format 'mean ± standard deviation', e.g. '24.5 ± 3.0'."

  - **Units**: "Include the units, e.g. '3.8 ml/kg'."

- Explicitly mention any gotchas, e.g. "Make sure to give the number of participants at the *end* of the study, not at some earlier point."

- Give examples of good answers.

- Try editing Elicit's suggested columns to get ideas for your instructions!

Try out your column. If you still notice issues, go back and tweak the **Description** and **Instructions** further. For column tips, see **[Improving Results from Columns.](https://support.elicit.com/en/articles/14758163)**

# Suggested Columns & Editing Columns

Elicit will suggest columns based on your research question. You can view and edit the column instructions by clicking on them.

# Save columns for use in other workflows

Any column can be saved as a "Preset" column in your workflows. Preset columns will then be available in other workflows under the preset section.

![Screenshot of the Elicit column preset section showing saved columns available for reuse across workflows](https://elicit-e64f0748155d.intercom-attachments-1.com/i/o/sumscdci/2317673791/6606c4af36fcab48b8a236bbf643/8d5f7bae-6d91-4063-8d2d-29064d9f55ad.png?expires=1789462800&signature=bd36c0c287baf0432b2753ddf63b27413b24d29f74d3faad64669373bcd7488a&req=diMmEc95noZWWPMW1HO4zZaw17WXXOytBNwmkojYnFawkoYtYPzZlosFibUp%0APn%2FUEc7%2BGJBjNC7LS1A%3D%0A)

To save a column as a preset column, click the arrow next to the column to edit it. Then click the Save as Preset button:

![Screenshot of the Elicit column editing panel showing the Save as Preset button](https://elicit-e64f0748155d.intercom-attachments-1.com/i/o/sumscdci/2317673901/811c9e278ecc02a75ed41ee4d06b/e44f9ad8-ab2d-4e56-a7b2-b5323b1e584f.png?expires=1789462800&signature=446123052fa0d9b7f455d3bb5a2a9eb7b5255d2b5e17f5f4434d9febf880fc36&req=diMmEc95nohfWPMW1HO4zSlyL5gSeBMhgKXvCP9j9JPneB4dMEAVb316MzQg%0AKc7EY%2Bg0OO0bOMvx6h0%3D%0A)