---
title: "How to Add Podcast Categories to Measurement and Forecasting Reports"
slug: "how-to-add-podcast-categories-to-measurement-and-forecasting-reports"
updated: 2025-09-30T20:15:15Z
published: 2025-09-30T20:15:15Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.tritondigital.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Add Podcast Categories to Measurement and Forecasting Reports

The [TAP Explore](/user/docs/tap-reports-tap-explore) and [TAP Forecasting](/user/docs/inventory-availability-forecasting) tools provide insights into station genres, but do not currently offer podcast category data as a reporting dimension. This article shows you how to use [Podcast Metrics (PCM) Explore](/user/docs/podcast-explore) data to integrate podcast category insights into measurement reports and forecast exports.

> [!NOTE]
> Also see: [Change to Delivery Method for On-Demand Publishers](/user/docs/change-to-delivery-method-for-on-demand-publishers)

> [!NOTE]
> This article assumes you have good working proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

## PCM Explore

In PCM Explore, select these dimensions:

- Program ID (podcast ID)
- Program (podcast name)
- Category

![](https://cdn.document360.io/7124b381-0a94-401a-abbd-9df9c4ea5dff/Images/Documentation/PCM-3-dimensions-podcast-categories.png)

## Adding Podcast Category in TAP Explore Exports

Be sure to include the **Station (ID)** dimension in your TAP Explore query. This is the field you will map to PCM Program ID to **vlookup** the categories in Microsoft Excel.

- Open your [exported report](/user/docs/exporting-triton-metrics-reports) in Microsoft Excel. Add a tab and copy/paste the PCM Explore data. (Name your tab “PCM”.)
- In the Report tab, add a column to the right of the **Station (ID)** column. Name it “Category.”
- Insert the **vlookup** formula where:
  - Lookup_value is **Station ID**
  - **Table_array** is the PCM tab including columns for **Program ID** and **Category** inclusively (make sure Program ID is the first column). *Make this an absolute reference so it remains unchanged as you carry the formula down the report.*
  - **Col_index_number**: the column number Category is in.
  - **range_lookup** is FALSE.
- It will look something like this:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/7124b381-0a94-401a-abbd-9df9c4ea5dff/Images/Documentation/Podcast-categories.excel-1.png)

## Adding Podcast Category in Forecasting Exports

Forecasting uses the **Station Name** to identify podcasts (an administrative name such as OMNY_BLORKPODCAST), while PCM Explore uses the podcast’s "display" name (such as “Blork Podcast”). Uou can use TAP Explore as a junction between Forecasting and PCM explore in order to map the category to your forecast result.

#### TAP Explore Report

In TAP Explore, select these dimensions:

- If you also have in-stream stations, filter by **Delivery method: Podcast**.
- Station Name.
- Station Display Name.

#### PCM Explore Report

- Same as described above, for TAP Explore.

#### Forecasting Query

Make sure to include the **Station** dimension in your query. This is the field you will map to PCM Program to **vlookup** the categories.

#### Combining data

- In your exported Forecast Excel:
  - Add a tab and copy/paste PCM Explore data (name your tab **PCM**)
  - Add a tab and copy/paste TAP Explore data (name your tab **TAP**)
- In the Report tab, add two columns to the right of the **Station** column. Name them "Display Name" and "Category" respectively.
- In the **Display Name** Column, insert the **vlookup** formula, where:
  - **Lookup_value** is **Station**
  - **Table_array** is the TAP tab including columns for **Station Name** and station**Display Name** inclusively (make sure **Station Name** is the first column)
  - **Col_index_number**: the column number the **Display Name** is in
  - **range_lookup** is **FALSE**.
- It will look something like this:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/7124b381-0a94-401a-abbd-9df9c4ea5dff/Images/Documentation/Podcast-categories.excel-2.png)

- In the **Category** Column, insert the **vlookup** formula where:
  - **Lookup_value** is **Display Name**
  - **Table_array** is the **PCM tab** including columns for **Program** and **Category** inclusively (make sure **Program** is the first column)
  - **Col_index_number**: the column number **Category** is in
  - **range_lookup** is **FALSE**.
- It will look something like this:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/7124b381-0a94-401a-abbd-9df9c4ea5dff/Images/Documentation/Podcast-categories.excel-3.png)