---
title: "Using list rules"
slug: "using-list-rules"
updated: 2025-09-01T11:59:08Z
published: 2025-09-01T11:59:08Z
canonical: "documentation.deltatre.com/using-list-rules"
---

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

# Using list rules

This article explains how list rules work and how to set them up to drive dynamic lists.

---

> [!CAUTION]
> **Minimum version requirements:** Certain list rule options, including the ability to sort items by *Date offered*, are available in [AXIS 9.3](/v1/docs/release-notes-axis-93-q3-21) onwards. The [AXIS 9.7](/v1/docs/release-notes-axis-97-q1-23) release introduces the *Is/Is not* filter option.

## What are list rules?

List rules allow you to apply logic to the surfacing of content on your lists. They keep the list content dynamic, automatically updating it based on the ruleset criteria. Using basic rules, you can eliminate manual curation and ensure viewers are always served up-to-date content.

For example, let's take a list: *Movies (Latest).* With list rules, newly-ingested movie content can be automatically added to the list and sorted based on availability or offer date, then made available to users with the appropriate subscription tier. All without the need for the movie assets to be manually selected from the catalog and added to the list.

Another use case involves combining list rules with [asset relations](/v1/docs/asset-relations), to dynamically add new content to your lists based on predefined associations between asset types.

For example, where an asset relation has been defined between *team* and *competition*, use list rules to surface related competition assets associated with a team, as and when they're added.

### How to set up a list rule

When curating a list, at the bottom of the page you'll notice the option to *Add an asset* OR *Add Rules.*

![Add_asset_or_add_rules.png](https://cdn.document360.io/2e698e3c-4773-44a4-9476-1d05bac85eee/Images/Documentation/360024215899.png)

1. Select the *Add Rules* link to display rule fields
2. Start by selecting the item type(s) that will populate your list. For example, you might want it to only include a specific asset type, like *movie* or *event.* Or it could contain a mix of asset types within a particular *genre* or *sport*.
3. Next, use the fields that follow to specify additional parameters to refine your list rule. For a movie list, you could specify a *genre,*or only include those featuring a particular *cast or crew* member, for example. An event list rule might be refined by *sport,*and then by those with an *Event Start Date* within a specified timeframe.
4. You can select additional criteria to build up your ruleset – simply click into the *Please choose...* field on a new line – until you're satisfied that you've included all relevant content parameters
5. Use the *Sort* dropdown to define the order in which the assets should appear on the list
6. Finally, specify the maximum number of assets the list should contain. The *Max. items* dropdown also gives you the option of setting this to *unlimited*, although we'd advise against this setting as it has the potential to impact the performance of your service.

![Using_list_rules__is_is_not_.png](https://cdn.document360.io/2e698e3c-4773-44a4-9476-1d05bac85eee/Images/Documentation/8022726153244.png)

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** Rule fields are context-sensitive: the fields presented for input or selection will change depending on the options you pick.

Below is an example of a list rule set to update the list *Movies (Latest)*with all new *Movie*assets released *After 2020*, sorted by *Date offered (newest*first*)* with a *Max. items*set to *25.*

In this case, the list will automatically update with new movie assets that were released after 2020, with the most recently-offered appearing at the beginning of the list.

![Item_type_movie.png](https://cdn.document360.io/2e698e3c-4773-44a4-9476-1d05bac85eee/Images/Documentation/8022769470492.png)

Another example below shows how you would use the *Has relation* list filter, combined with the *Followed items* selection, to add a list rule that automatically populates the list with all events involving any team the user follows.

![Item_type_asset.png](https://cdn.document360.io/2e698e3c-4773-44a4-9476-1d05bac85eee/Images/Documentation/8022770281372.png)

Use metadata and tagging and the offer-ability/scheduling window of assets to create rule-driven lists.

For example, create a list displaying episodes (asset type) for a specific channel that are expiring in (offer) 7 days. If you're offering a catchup service, this means episodes can be continuously added and removed from the catalog.

### How to search for a rule value

As of [AXIS 9.7](/v1/docs/release-notes-axis-97-q1-23), you can now use text entry to assist filtering before selecting from the rule value options that meet the query.

![Item_type_is_Confederation.png](https://cdn.document360.io/2e698e3c-4773-44a4-9476-1d05bac85eee/Images/Documentation/8022730351644.png)

### How do I reorder rule-driven lists?

If you need to change an asset's positioning within a rule-driven list (to override the automatic order), simply find the asset in the list and drag it into position.

Note that if you manually edit a list that's already in use, when you save it, any Reference App row currently using the published list is automatically updated.

### How to duplicate rules within a list

As of [AXIS 9.7](/v1/docs/release-notes-axis-97-q1-23), given a rule exists within a list, you can easily duplicate the list rule. If you're only making small changes to the original list rule, this is a great way to save some time and effort.

Select the rule action drop-down button and select *Duplicate.*

![Event_timeframe_-_duplicate.png](https://cdn.document360.io/2e698e3c-4773-44a4-9476-1d05bac85eee/Images/Documentation/8022799332508.png)

### Can I combine rules and assets in a list?

Yes, *rules* and *assets* can be combined. You can manually add specific assets to your list to ensure they're showcased prominently, and then use rules to backfill the list with related content.

See our [creating and managing lists](/v1/docs/creating-and-managing-lists) article for more information on how to manually select and add assets to your lists.

### How duplicate list items are handled

By default, Presentation Manager automatically removes duplicate assets from lists – for example, in cases where an asset is automatically inserted through a list rule, but is also added manually.

In terms of positioning, the asset higher up the list will be kept in preference to the duplicate further down.

### The *Advanced view*

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** We recommend that you only use the Advanced view if you're comfortable reading and modifying XML code.

The *Advanced view,* accessed through a link in the top right-hand side of the screen, shows the XML code driving your list. For those with an understanding of XML structure, this view can provide a more detailed insight into how the list rule will work. You can toggle between the Advanced and Standard views to see your list configuration from different perspectives.

![Lists_-_Advanced_view_link.png](https://cdn.document360.io/2e698e3c-4773-44a4-9476-1d05bac85eee/Images/Documentation/6554714013468.png)

By modifying the XML, it's also possible to adjust – or extend – a list rule beyond what can be done using the parameters available in the standard view. We'd advise caution in doing this, however, to avoid introducing errors or conflicts into the list rule logic.

Read our separate [Advanced view article](/v1/docs/lists-advanced-view) for more information on this page.

### Saving and publishing lists

By clicking the ![Save_and_publish_button.png](https://cdn.document360.io/2e698e3c-4773-44a4-9476-1d05bac85eee/Images/Documentation/360024202480.png) button, the list is made visible to your end users to view and interact with.

**Need to make additional changes before going live?**

No problem, save your list without publishing by selecting the *More* button, followed by *Save*. This action saves your changes but the list remains in a draft state until it's manually published.

![Save_-_More_actions.png](https://cdn.document360.io/2e698e3c-4773-44a4-9476-1d05bac85eee/Images/Documentation/360010243680.png)

Alternatively, from the *More* menu, you have the option to *Archive* or *Delete* the list.