runWhen

runWhen controls whether a column runs on each row. It's your "only run if this journalist qualifies" gate.

If the condition is true (or has a value), the column runs.
If the condition is false (or empty/null), the column is skipped.
If runWhen is left blank, the column runs on every row—which usually means credits spent on journalists who don't fit.

When to use runWhen

Use runWhen on any column that costs credits or takes significant time:

AI columns (Use AI, Custom Agents)
Enrichment columns (profile/email/article enrichment)
Any expensive external provider step

The goal: spend credits only on the journalists most likely to care about your story.

Expression syntax

runWhen uses the same expression language as formulas, including:

Column references: {{Email}}, {{Match Score}}, {{Journalist Profile}}.email
Operators: &&, ||, !, >, >=, =, !=
Functions: ISBLANK, GET, IF, and all other formula functions

Common runWhen examples

Goal	Expression	Behavior
Only run AI pitch angle if email exists	`{{Email}} != null && {{Email}} != ""`	Skips journalists we can't contact anyway
Only run agent for high-match journalists	`{{Match Score}} > 7`	Focuses AI spend on journalists who fit
Only enrich if profile is incomplete	`ISBLANK({{Journalist Profile}})`	Enriches only journalists missing profile data
Require both score and contactability	`{{Match Score}} >= 7 && !ISBLANK({{Email}})`	Skips low-match or unreachable journalists

Fewer, Better Runs

Create lightweight formula helper columns first (for example Email Exists, High Match, Needs Enrichment), then reference those booleans in runWhen. Clean gates, reusable logic, credits spent only on qualified journalists.

Cost savings example

Journalists: 2,000
Cost per AI run: 1 credit
Journalists with valid email: 35% (700)

Without runWhen: 2,000 credits spent on everyone With runWhen: 700 credits spent on contactable journalists Credits saved: 1,300 (65% reduction)

Implementation checklist

Decide the qualification rule in plain language.
Write a formula expression that returns boolean.
Preview expression output on sample rows.
Add expression to runWhen on the expensive column.
Re-check qualification rate monthly as your data changes.