Recipe 6

Set static value

Built-in action

Part of the Cleaning Recipes Guide · Last updated: 2026-03-31

Fill one or more target columns with the same fixed value.

Use it when every imported row should carry the same source tag, campaign code, or status.

This page is intentionally detailed so you can understand not only which recipe to choose, but also how to prepare your CSV, what to expect during the apply flow, and what to verify after the change runs. That makes it easier to use saved recipes confidently on recurring imports instead of cleaning values by hand.

If you are comparing similar actions, start with the recipe preview below, then work through the screenshots and verification checklists further down the page. Those sections are designed to mirror the real UI you will see in Online CSV Editor.

Recipe preview
Saved recipe
Campaign tagging
Set Source to a static value

Writes the same label into every selected row.

Example row
Every row gets the same consistent tag
Target column
Source
Value
Webinar 2026
1. Pick the action
Configure the recipe in the modal before running it on the table.
2. Review the preview
Confirm the recipe details and apply only when the rule looks correct.
3. Export clean data
Use the apply summary to verify the result before exporting the CSV.

First-time walkthrough for beginners

If this is your first time using Set static value, follow these steps in order. The screenshots below come from the real product flow so you can compare your screen with the guide as you go.

Step 1

Open a file and find one example you want to fix

Start by loading your CSV or a sample file into the editor. Before opening the recipe tools, look for one real example that should change, such as Source is blank. That gives you something concrete to compare after the recipe runs.

  • Check whether the issue appears in one column or across several columns.
  • If the file is large, note a few rows you can revisit after applying the recipe.
Online CSV Editor with a sample file loaded and the Recipes button visible in the toolbar.
The editor toolbar is where most guide workflows begin: load a CSV sample, open Recipes, then apply or save a cleaning flow before exporting.
Step 2

Open Recipes and start a new recipe draft

Click the Recipes button in the toolbar. Beginners can choose New recipe or Start from example, then save a reusable recipe after they confirm the action works the way they expect.

  • Use Start from example if you want to learn the recipe editor with a safe starter action already loaded.
  • Saved recipes stay browser-local unless you deliberately share the definition.
The Cleaning Recipes modal open inside Online CSV Editor, showing saved recipes and actions.
The Cleaning Recipes modal lets you create, review, save, duplicate, share, and apply repeatable recipe actions without sending CSV data to a server.
Step 3

Configure set static value in the editor

Use this action when every row should receive the same tag, source label, or status. It is a good beginner recipe because the result is easy to predict and verify.

  • Pick the target column or columns that should receive the same value on every row.
  • Enter the exact fixed value you want written, including capitalization and spacing.
  • Confirm the target column already exists if the action is not creating a new field for you.
The recipe editor open inside Online CSV Editor with a starter recipe and action settings visible.
The recipe editor is where beginners name the recipe, choose the action, adjust settings such as columns or rule mode, and save the workflow for reuse.
Step 4

Apply the recipe and confirm the result before export

Apply the action, then compare the changed table against the expected result Source=Webinar 2026. Use the apply summary together with the example panel below to confirm the recipe did what you intended before exporting the CSV.

  • Make sure the output now matches the intended result, such as Source=Webinar 2026.
  • Read the apply summary and confirm that the changed row or cell count matches your expectation.
  • Export the CSV only after scanning a few rows near the top, middle, and bottom of the file to catch edge cases.

Quick version

  1. Add Set static value and choose the target column or columns.
  2. Enter the fixed value you want written into each row, such as “Webinar 2026”.
  3. Apply the recipe and review several rows to confirm the same value appears consistently.

Example

Before
Source is blank
After
Source=Webinar 2026

If the target column does not exist yet, create it manually first or pair this with another structural recipe.

Before you run this recipe

  • Identify the exact columns or rows that set static value should change before you open the recipe form.
  • Keep one visible example in mind, such as Source is blank, so you can compare the result after the recipe runs.
  • If you expect to repeat this cleanup on future imports, save the recipe with a descriptive name instead of applying it only once.

What to verify after applying

  • Make sure the output now matches the intended result, such as Source=Webinar 2026.
  • Read the apply summary and confirm that the changed row or cell count matches your expectation.
  • Export the CSV only after scanning a few rows near the top, middle, and bottom of the file to catch edge cases.

Common mistakes beginners should avoid

  • Typing a value that looks right but does not match the exact label expected by the next system.
  • Applying the static value to a column that already contains meaningful row-by-row data you meant to preserve.

When this recipe is the right choice

Use Set static value when you want a repeatable cleanup rule instead of manual editing across many rows. The strongest clue is the use case itself: Use it when every imported row should carry the same source tag, campaign code, or status.

In practice, this recipe is most valuable when the same cleanup problem appears in recurring exports from CRMs, spreadsheets, analytics tools, or ecommerce platforms. Saving the recipe means you can apply the same standard every time a similar CSV arrives, which is exactly what makes the guide useful for long-term workflows rather than one-off fixes.

Use this recipe in context

Open the editor, import your file, click Recipes in the toolbar, and apply this action on its own or combine it with other saved actions. If you want the recipe to run immediately when a file opens, use the Apply recipe on import dropdown in the importer first.

For the best results, treat this page as a reusable operating note: review the example, compare it to your live CSV, run the saved action, and then return to the guide whenever you need to train a teammate or document a repeatable cleanup process.