Extensions

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Extensions provide a user-friendly interface to add customizations to your data layer and tags without the need for coding. Extensions are used for a variety of purposes, such as modifying data layer values, setting cookies, and even setting up click tracking.

In this article:

• Scope
• Order of Operations
• Add an Extension

Scope

The effects of extensions are either global or local, meaning they are applied to all tags globally or to individual tags. In iQ Tag Management, this setting is called Scope.

• Global Scope
  The effects of an extension apply to all tags. The scope is called "All Tags".
• Local Scope
  The effects of an extension only apply to a specific tag. The scope is called "Tag Scope".

Order of Operations

To get familiar with extensions, it is important to understand the order of operations of the main components of iQ Tag Management and when the "All Tags" scope occurs. The following is a simplified order of the operations that shows when the data layer is processed by each component.

1. Page loads the following:
   • Universal Data Object – utag_data
   • Universal Tag – utag.js
2. Universal Tag (utag.js) runs the following:
   • Data Layer variables are evaluated (cookies, meta, query string, etc.)
   • Load Rules are evaluated
   • "All Tags" extensions run
   • Tags run
     • "Tag Scope" extensions run
     • Tags fire

There are two other global scopes called "Pre Loader" and "DOM Ready" that are used for more advanced scenarios. Also, within the "All Tags" scope there is an execution setting that provides more granular control for running tags before load rules or after all tags are loaded.

Additional details about these settings can be found at the end of this guide.

Now that you know a little about extensions, you can set up your first extension and see it in action.

Add an Extension

A common use for extensions is to set a default value for a data layer variable. This requires setting the value of a variable – but only if it does not already have a value. In this step you will use the Set Data Values extension to set page_name to the value of a built-in variable named document title – but only if page_name does not have a value.

Use the following steps to add this extension:

1. In the sidebar, select iQ Tag Management > Extensions.
2. Click + Add Extension.
3. Under the Standard Data tab, click + Add next to Set Data Values.
4. In the Title field, enter Default Page Name to identify your extension.
5. In the Scope field, keep the All Tags - After Load Rules (default) default value.
6. Under Configuration, apply the following settings:
   • Use the drop-down list in the Set field to select the Page Name variable.
   • In the To field, select Variable.
   • In the variables drop-down list, select document title.
   • Under Condition, click Add Condition.
   • Use the drop-down list to select the Page Name variable.
   • In the next field, use the drop-down list to select is not populated.
     

That's it! Your extension is configured. This extension ensures that if your data layer does not contain a value for the page_name variable, then the value of document title will be used instead. This is just one example of an extension. Be sure to explore the other extensions.

The next step is to learn about of saving and publishing your work.