diff --git a/app/api/entities/reaction_variation_entity.rb b/app/api/entities/reaction_variation_entity.rb
index 6909de9c66..cee722d5ec 100644
--- a/app/api/entities/reaction_variation_entity.rb
+++ b/app/api/entities/reaction_variation_entity.rb
@@ -4,9 +4,8 @@ module Entities
   class ReactionVariationEntity < ApplicationEntity
     expose(
       :id,
-      :notes,
       :properties,
-      :analyses,
+      :metadata,
       :reactants,
       :products,
       :solvents,
@@ -14,12 +13,15 @@ class ReactionVariationEntity < ApplicationEntity
     expose :starting_materials, as: :startingMaterials
 
     def properties
-      {}.tap do |properties|
-        properties[:temperature] = ReactionVariationPropertyEntity.represent(object[:properties][:temperature])
-        properties[:duration] = ReactionVariationPropertyEntity.represent(object[:properties][:duration])
+      object[:properties].slice(:duration, :temperature).transform_values do |value|
+        ReactionVariationPropertyEntity.represent(value)
       end
     end
 
+    def metadata
+      object[:metadata].slice(:notes, :analyses)
+    end
+
     def materials(material_type, entity)
       {}.tap do |materials|
         object[material_type]&.each do |k, v|
diff --git a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariations.js b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariations.js
index 1293603f9e..4b3da7d69c 100644
--- a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariations.js
+++ b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariations.js
@@ -11,104 +11,42 @@ import { isEqual } from 'lodash';
 import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
 import Reaction from 'src/models/Reaction';
 import {
-  createVariationsRow, copyVariationsRow, updateVariationsRow, getCellDataType, getStandardUnits, materialTypes
+  createVariationsRow, copyVariationsRow, updateVariationsRow, getVariationsColumns, materialTypes,
+  addMissingColumnsToVariations, removeObsoleteColumnsFromVariations, getColumnDefinitions
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils';
 import {
-  AnalysesCellRenderer, AnalysesCellEditor, getReactionAnalyses, updateAnalyses, getAnalysesOverlay, AnalysisOverlay
+  getReactionAnalyses, updateAnalyses
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsAnalyses';
 import {
-  getMaterialColumnGroupChild, updateVariationsGasTypes,
+  updateVariationsGasTypes,
   getReactionMaterials, getReactionMaterialsIDs, getReactionMaterialsGasTypes,
-  removeObsoleteMaterialsFromVariations, addMissingMaterialsToVariations
+  removeObsoleteMaterialColumns
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials';
 import {
   PropertyFormatter, PropertyParser,
   MaterialFormatter, MaterialParser,
   EquivalentParser, GasParser, FeedstockParser,
-  NoteCellRenderer, NoteCellEditor,
-  RowToolsCellRenderer, MenuHeader
+  ColumnSelection
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsComponents';
-import {
-  columnDefinitionsReducer
-} from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsReducers';
+import columnDefinitionsReducer
+  from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsReducers';
 import GasPhaseReactionStore from 'src/stores/alt/stores/GasPhaseReactionStore';
 
 export default function ReactionVariations({ reaction, onReactionChange, isActive }) {
   const gridRef = useRef(null);
   const reactionVariations = reaction.variations;
   const reactionHasPolymers = reaction.hasPolymers();
+  const { dispValue: durationValue = null, dispUnit: durationUnit = 'None' } = reaction.durationDisplay ?? {};
+  const { userText: temperatureValue = null, valueUnit: temperatureUnit = 'None' } = reaction.temperature ?? {};
+  const vesselVolume = GasPhaseReactionStore.getState().reactionVesselSizeValue;
   const [gasMode, setGasMode] = useState(reaction.gaseous);
   const [allReactionAnalyses, setAllReactionAnalyses] = useState(getReactionAnalyses(reaction));
   const [reactionMaterials, setReactionMaterials] = useState(getReactionMaterials(reaction));
-  const [columnDefinitions, setColumnDefinitions] = useReducer(columnDefinitionsReducer, [
-    {
-      headerName: 'Tools',
-      cellRenderer: RowToolsCellRenderer,
-      lockPosition: 'left',
-      sortable: false,
-      maxWidth: 100,
-      cellDataType: false,
-    },
-    {
-      headerName: 'Notes',
-      field: 'notes',
-      cellRenderer: NoteCellRenderer,
-      sortable: false,
-      cellDataType: 'text',
-      cellEditor: NoteCellEditor,
-    },
-    {
-      headerName: 'Analyses',
-      field: 'analyses',
-      tooltipValueGetter: getAnalysesOverlay,
-      tooltipComponent: AnalysisOverlay,
-      cellRenderer: AnalysesCellRenderer,
-      cellEditor: AnalysesCellEditor,
-      cellDataType: false,
-      sortable: false,
-    },
-    {
-      headerName: 'Properties',
-      groupId: 'properties',
-      marryChildren: true,
-      children: [
-        {
-          field: 'properties.temperature',
-          cellDataType: getCellDataType('temperature'),
-          entryDefs: {
-            currentEntry: 'temperature',
-            displayUnit: getStandardUnits('temperature')[0],
-            availableEntries: ['temperature']
-          },
-          headerComponent: MenuHeader,
-          headerComponentParams: {
-            names: ['T'],
-          }
-        },
-        {
-          field: 'properties.duration',
-          cellDataType: getCellDataType('duration'),
-          editable: !gasMode,
-          entryDefs: {
-            currentEntry: 'duration',
-            displayUnit: getStandardUnits('duration')[0],
-            availableEntries: ['duration']
-          },
-          headerComponent: MenuHeader,
-          headerComponentParams: {
-            names: ['t'],
-          }
-        },
-      ]
-    },
-  ].concat(
-    Object.entries(reactionMaterials).map(([materialType, materials]) => ({
-      headerName: materialTypes[materialType].label,
-      groupId: materialType,
-      marryChildren: true,
-      children: materials.map((material) => getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, MenuHeader, gasMode))
-    }))
-  ));
+  const [selectedColumns, setSelectedColumns] = useState(getVariationsColumns(reactionVariations));
+  const [columnDefinitions, setColumnDefinitions] = useReducer(
+    columnDefinitionsReducer,
+    getColumnDefinitions(selectedColumns, reactionMaterials, gasMode)
+  );
 
   const dataTypeDefinitions = {
     property: {
@@ -180,7 +118,7 @@ export default function ReactionVariations({ reaction, onReactionChange, isActiv
   /*
   Keep set of materials up-to-date.
   Materials could have been added or removed in the "Scheme" tab.
-  These changes need to be reflected in the variations.
+  We need to only *remove* obsolete materials, not *add* missing ones, since users add materials manually.
   */
   if (
     !isEqual(
@@ -188,21 +126,25 @@ export default function ReactionVariations({ reaction, onReactionChange, isActiv
       getReactionMaterialsIDs(updatedReactionMaterials)
     )
   ) {
-    let updatedReactionVariations = removeObsoleteMaterialsFromVariations(reactionVariations, updatedReactionMaterials);
-    updatedReactionVariations = addMissingMaterialsToVariations(
-      updatedReactionVariations,
+    const updatedSelectedColumns = removeObsoleteMaterialColumns(
       updatedReactionMaterials,
-      updatedGasMode
+      selectedColumns
     );
+    setSelectedColumns(updatedSelectedColumns);
 
+    const updatedReactionVariations = removeObsoleteColumnsFromVariations(
+      reactionVariations,
+      updatedSelectedColumns
+    );
     setReactionVariations(updatedReactionVariations);
+
     setColumnDefinitions(
       {
-        type: 'update_material_set',
-        gasMode: updatedGasMode,
-        reactionMaterials: updatedReactionMaterials
+        type: 'remove_obsolete_materials',
+        selectedColumns: updatedSelectedColumns
       }
     );
+
     setReactionMaterials(updatedReactionMaterials);
   }
 
@@ -210,11 +152,17 @@ export default function ReactionVariations({ reaction, onReactionChange, isActiv
   Update gas mode according to "Scheme" tab.
   */
   if (gasMode !== updatedGasMode) {
+    const updatedSelectedColumns = getVariationsColumns([]);
+    setSelectedColumns(updatedSelectedColumns);
     setColumnDefinitions(
       {
         type: 'toggle_gas_mode',
-        gasMode: updatedGasMode,
-        reactionMaterials: updatedReactionMaterials
+        materials: Object.keys(materialTypes).reduce((materials, materialType) => {
+          materials[materialType] = [];
+          return materials;
+        }, {}),
+        selectedColumns: updatedSelectedColumns,
+        gasMode: updatedGasMode
       }
     );
     setGasMode(updatedGasMode);
@@ -240,8 +188,9 @@ export default function ReactionVariations({ reaction, onReactionChange, isActiv
     setColumnDefinitions(
       {
         type: 'update_gas_type',
+        selectedColumns,
+        materials: updatedReactionMaterials,
         gasMode: updatedGasMode,
-        reactionMaterials: updatedReactionMaterials
       }
     );
 
@@ -294,12 +243,27 @@ export default function ReactionVariations({ reaction, onReactionChange, isActiv
     setAllReactionAnalyses(updatedAllReactionAnalyses);
   }
 
-  const addRow = useCallback(() => {
-    const vesselVolume = GasPhaseReactionStore.getState().reactionVesselSizeValue;
+  const addRow = () => {
     setReactionVariations(
-      [...reactionVariations, createVariationsRow(reaction, reactionVariations, gasMode, vesselVolume)]
+      [
+        ...reactionVariations,
+        createVariationsRow(
+          {
+            materials: reactionMaterials,
+            selectedColumns,
+            variations: reactionVariations,
+            reactionHasPolymers,
+            durationValue,
+            durationUnit,
+            temperatureValue,
+            temperatureUnit,
+            gasMode,
+            vesselVolume
+          }
+        )
+      ]
     );
-  }, [reaction, reactionVariations, gasMode]);
+  };
 
   const copyRow = useCallback((data) => {
     const copiedRow = copyVariationsRow(data, reactionVariations);
@@ -320,9 +284,35 @@ export default function ReactionVariations({ reaction, onReactionChange, isActiv
     );
   }, [reactionVariations, reactionHasPolymers]);
 
-  const fitColumnToContent = (event) => {
-    const { column } = event;
-    gridRef.current.api.autoSizeColumns([column], false);
+  const applyColumnSelection = (columns) => {
+    let updatedReactionVariations = addMissingColumnsToVariations({
+      materials: reactionMaterials,
+      selectedColumns: columns,
+      variations: reactionVariations,
+      reactionHasPolymers,
+      durationValue,
+      durationUnit,
+      temperatureValue,
+      temperatureUnit,
+      gasMode,
+      vesselVolume
+    });
+    updatedReactionVariations = removeObsoleteColumnsFromVariations(
+      updatedReactionVariations,
+      columns
+    );
+    setReactionVariations(updatedReactionVariations);
+
+    setColumnDefinitions(
+      {
+        type: 'apply_column_selection',
+        materials: reactionMaterials,
+        selectedColumns: columns,
+        gasMode
+      }
+    );
+
+    setSelectedColumns(columns);
   };
 
   const removeAllVariations = () => {
@@ -392,11 +382,25 @@ export default function ReactionVariations({ reaction, onReactionChange, isActiv
     );
   }
 
+  const fitColumnToContent = (event) => {
+    const { column } = event;
+    gridRef.current.api.autoSizeColumns([column], false);
+  };
+
   return (
     <div>
       <ButtonGroup>
         {addVariation()}
         {removeAllVariations()}
+        {ColumnSelection(
+          selectedColumns,
+          {
+            ...getReactionMaterialsIDs(reactionMaterials),
+            properties: ['duration', 'temperature'],
+            metadata: ['notes', 'analyses']
+          },
+          applyColumnSelection,
+        )}
       </ButtonGroup>
       <div className="ag-theme-alpine ag-theme-reaction-variations">
         <AgGridReact
@@ -407,7 +411,6 @@ export default function ReactionVariations({ reaction, onReactionChange, isActiv
           headerHeight={70}
           columnDefs={columnDefinitions}
           suppressPropertyNamesCheck
-          stopEditingWhenCellsLoseFocus
           defaultColDef={defaultColumnDefinitions}
           dataTypeDefinitions={dataTypeDefinitions}
           tooltipShowDelay={0}
diff --git a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsAnalyses.js b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsAnalyses.js
index 504b7b7db5..117e2457c0 100644
--- a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsAnalyses.js
+++ b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsAnalyses.js
@@ -21,14 +21,14 @@ function updateAnalyses(variations, allReactionAnalyses) {
   const updatedVariations = cloneDeep(variations);
   updatedVariations.forEach((row) => {
     // eslint-disable-next-line no-param-reassign
-    row.analyses = row.analyses.filter((id) => analysesIDs.includes(id));
+    row.metadata.analyses = row.metadata.analyses.filter((id) => analysesIDs.includes(id));
   });
 
   return updatedVariations;
 }
 
-function getAnalysesOverlay({ data: variationsRow, context }) {
-  const { analyses: analysesIDs } = variationsRow;
+function getAnalysesOverlay({ data: row, context }) {
+  const { analyses: analysesIDs } = row;
   const { allReactionAnalyses } = context;
 
   return allReactionAnalyses.filter((analysis) => analysesIDs.includes(analysis.id));
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ AnalysisOverlay.propTypes = {
 
 function AnalysisVariationLink({ reaction, analysisID }) {
   const { variations } = cloneDeep(reaction);
-  const linkedVariations = variations.filter((row) => row.analyses.includes(analysisID)) ?? [];
+  const linkedVariations = variations.filter((row) => row.metadata.analyses.includes(analysisID)) ?? [];
 
   if (linkedVariations.length === 0) {
     return null;
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ AnalysesCellRenderer.propTypes = {
 };
 
 function AnalysesCellEditor({
-  data: variationsRow,
+  data: row,
   value: analysesIDs,
   onValueChange,
   stopEditing,
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ function AnalysesCellEditor({
   const cellContent = (
     <Modal centered show>
       <Modal.Header>
-        {`Link analyses to ${getVariationsRowName(reactionShortLabel, variationsRow.id)}`}
+        {`Link analyses to ${getVariationsRowName(reactionShortLabel, row.id)}`}
       </Modal.Header>
       <Modal.Body>{analysesSelection}</Modal.Body>
       <Modal.Footer>
diff --git a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsComponents.js b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsComponents.js
index 6b8002ec07..303289eeda 100644
--- a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsComponents.js
+++ b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsComponents.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 /* eslint-disable react/display-name */
 import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
+import Select from 'react-select';
 import { AgGridReact } from 'ag-grid-react';
 import {
   Button, ButtonGroup, Modal, Form, OverlayTrigger, Tooltip
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ import {
 } from 'src/utilities/UnitsConversion';
 
 function RowToolsCellRenderer({
-  data: variationsRow, context
+  data: row, context
 }) {
   const { reactionShortLabel, copyRow, removeRow } = context;
   return (
@@ -26,14 +27,14 @@ function RowToolsCellRenderer({
       <ButtonGroup>
         <OverlayTrigger
           placement="bottom"
-          overlay={<Tooltip>{getVariationsRowName(reactionShortLabel, variationsRow.id)}</Tooltip>}
+          overlay={<Tooltip>{getVariationsRowName(reactionShortLabel, row.id)}</Tooltip>}
         >
-          <Button size="xsm" variant="secondary">{variationsRow.id}</Button>
+          <Button size="xsm" variant="secondary">{row.id}</Button>
         </OverlayTrigger>
-        <Button size="xsm" variant="success" onClick={() => copyRow(variationsRow)}>
+        <Button size="xsm" variant="success" onClick={() => copyRow(row)}>
           <i className="fa fa-clone" />
         </Button>
-        <Button size="xsm" variant="danger" onClick={() => removeRow(variationsRow)}>
+        <Button size="xsm" variant="danger" onClick={() => removeRow(row)}>
           <i className="fa fa-trash-o" />
         </Button>
       </ButtonGroup>
@@ -52,13 +53,13 @@ RowToolsCellRenderer.propTypes = {
   }).isRequired,
 };
 
-function EquivalentParser({ data: variationsRow, oldValue: cellData, newValue }) {
+function EquivalentParser({ data: row, oldValue: cellData, newValue }) {
   let equivalent = parseNumericString(newValue);
   if (equivalent < 0) {
     equivalent = 0;
   }
   // Adapt mass to updated equivalent.
-  const referenceMaterial = getReferenceMaterial(variationsRow);
+  const referenceMaterial = getReferenceMaterial(row);
   const referenceMol = getMolFromGram(referenceMaterial.mass.value, referenceMaterial);
   const mass = getGramFromMol(referenceMol * equivalent, cellData);
 
@@ -106,7 +107,7 @@ function MaterialFormatter({ value: cellData, colDef }) {
 }
 
 function MaterialParser({
-  data: variationsRow, oldValue: cellData, newValue, colDef, context
+  data: row, oldValue: cellData, newValue, colDef, context
 }) {
   const { currentEntry, displayUnit } = colDef.entryDefs;
   let value = convertUnit(parseNumericString(newValue), displayUnit, cellData[currentEntry].unit);
@@ -129,7 +130,7 @@ function MaterialParser({
     return updatedCellData;
   }
 
-  const referenceMaterial = getReferenceMaterial(variationsRow);
+  const referenceMaterial = getReferenceMaterial(row);
 
   // Adapt equivalent to updated mass.
   if ('equivalent' in updatedCellData) {
@@ -147,7 +148,7 @@ function MaterialParser({
 }
 
 function GasParser({
-  data: variationsRow, oldValue: cellData, newValue, colDef
+  data: row, oldValue: cellData, newValue, colDef
 }) {
   const { currentEntry, displayUnit } = colDef.entryDefs;
   let value = convertUnit(parseNumericString(newValue), displayUnit, cellData[currentEntry].unit);
@@ -170,11 +171,11 @@ function GasParser({
       const amount = calculateGasMoles(vesselVolume, concentration, temperatureInKelvin);
       const mass = getGramFromMol(amount, updatedCellData);
 
-      const catalyst = getCatalystMaterial(variationsRow);
+      const catalyst = getCatalystMaterial(row);
       const catalystAmount = catalyst?.amount.value ?? 0;
       const turnoverNumber = calculateTON(amount, catalystAmount);
 
-      const percentYield = computePercentYieldGas(amount, getFeedstockMaterial(variationsRow), vesselVolume);
+      const percentYield = computePercentYieldGas(amount, getFeedstockMaterial(row), vesselVolume);
 
       updatedCellData = {
         ...updatedCellData,
@@ -204,7 +205,7 @@ function GasParser({
 }
 
 function FeedstockParser({
-  data: variationsRow, oldValue: cellData, newValue, colDef
+  data: row, oldValue: cellData, newValue, colDef
 }) {
   const { currentEntry, displayUnit } = colDef.entryDefs;
   let value = convertUnit(parseNumericString(newValue), displayUnit, cellData[currentEntry].unit);
@@ -253,7 +254,7 @@ function FeedstockParser({
     return updatedCellData;
   }
 
-  const referenceMaterial = getReferenceMaterial(variationsRow);
+  const referenceMaterial = getReferenceMaterial(row);
   const equivalent = computeEquivalent(updatedCellData, referenceMaterial);
 
   return { ...updatedCellData, equivalent: { ...updatedCellData.equivalent, value: equivalent } };
@@ -275,7 +276,7 @@ function NoteCellRenderer(props) {
 }
 
 function NoteCellEditor({
-  data: variationsRow,
+  data: row,
   value,
   onValueChange,
   stopEditing,
@@ -296,7 +297,7 @@ function NoteCellEditor({
   const cellContent = (
     <Modal show onHide={onClose}>
       <Modal.Header closeButton>
-        {`Edit note for ${getVariationsRowName(reactionShortLabel, variationsRow.id)}`}
+        {`Edit note for ${getVariationsRowName(reactionShortLabel, row.id)}`}
       </Modal.Header>
       <Modal.Body>
         <Form.Control
@@ -514,6 +515,57 @@ MenuHeader.defaultProps = {
   gasType: 'off',
 };
 
+function ColumnSelection(selectedColumns, availableColumns, onApply) {
+  const [showModal, setShowModal] = useState(false);
+  const [currentColumns, setCurrentColumns] = useState(selectedColumns);
+
+  const handleApply = () => {
+    onApply(currentColumns);
+    setShowModal(false);
+  };
+
+  const handleSelectChange = (key) => (selectedOptions) => {
+    const updatedCurrentColumns = { ...currentColumns };
+    updatedCurrentColumns[key] = selectedOptions ? selectedOptions.map((option) => option.value) : [];
+    setCurrentColumns(updatedCurrentColumns);
+  };
+
+  const splitCamelCase = (str) => str.replace(/([a-z])([A-Z])/g, '$1 $2');
+  const toUpperCase = (str) => str.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + str.slice(1);
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Button size="sm" variant="primary" onClick={() => setShowModal(true)} className="mb-2">
+        Select Columns
+      </Button>
+
+      <Modal show={showModal} onHide={() => setShowModal(false)}>
+        <Modal.Header closeButton>
+          <Modal.Title>Column Selection</Modal.Title>
+        </Modal.Header>
+        <Modal.Body>
+          {Object.entries(availableColumns).map(([key, values]) => (
+            <div key={key}>
+              <h5>{toUpperCase(splitCamelCase(key))}</h5>
+              <Select
+                isMulti
+                options={values.map((value) => ({ value, label: toUpperCase(value) }))}
+                value={currentColumns[key]?.map((value) => ({ value, label: toUpperCase(value) })) || []}
+                onChange={handleSelectChange(key)}
+              />
+            </div>
+          ))}
+        </Modal.Body>
+        <Modal.Footer>
+          <Button variant="secondary" onClick={handleApply}>
+            Apply
+          </Button>
+        </Modal.Footer>
+      </Modal>
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
 export {
   RowToolsCellRenderer,
   EquivalentParser,
@@ -527,4 +579,5 @@ export {
   NoteCellEditor,
   MaterialOverlay,
   MenuHeader,
+  ColumnSelection,
 };
diff --git a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials.js b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials.js
index a6e8e26c17..29f0541112 100644
--- a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials.js
+++ b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials.js
@@ -28,21 +28,21 @@ function getGramFromMol(mol, material) {
   return (mol / (material.aux.purity ?? 1.0)) * material.aux.molecularWeight;
 }
 
-function getReferenceMaterial(variationsRow) {
-  const variationsRowCopy = cloneDeep(variationsRow);
-  const potentialReferenceMaterials = { ...variationsRowCopy.startingMaterials, ...variationsRowCopy.reactants };
+function getReferenceMaterial(row) {
+  const rowCopy = cloneDeep(row);
+  const potentialReferenceMaterials = { ...rowCopy.startingMaterials, ...rowCopy.reactants };
   return Object.values(potentialReferenceMaterials).find((material) => material.aux?.isReference || false);
 }
 
-function getCatalystMaterial(variationsRow) {
-  const variationsRowCopy = cloneDeep(variationsRow);
-  const potentialCatalystMaterials = { ...variationsRowCopy.startingMaterials, ...variationsRowCopy.reactants };
+function getCatalystMaterial(row) {
+  const rowCopy = cloneDeep(row);
+  const potentialCatalystMaterials = { ...rowCopy.startingMaterials, ...rowCopy.reactants };
   return Object.values(potentialCatalystMaterials).find((material) => material.aux?.gasType === 'catalyst' || false);
 }
 
-function getFeedstockMaterial(variationsRow) {
-  const variationsRowCopy = cloneDeep(variationsRow);
-  const potentialFeedstockMaterials = { ...variationsRowCopy.startingMaterials, ...variationsRowCopy.reactants };
+function getFeedstockMaterial(row) {
+  const rowCopy = cloneDeep(row);
+  const potentialFeedstockMaterials = { ...rowCopy.startingMaterials, ...rowCopy.reactants };
   return Object.values(potentialFeedstockMaterials).find((material) => material.aux?.gasType === 'feedstock' || false);
 }
 
@@ -74,19 +74,25 @@ function getReactionMaterials(reaction) {
   }, {});
 }
 
-function getReactionMaterialsIDs(reactionMaterials) {
-  return Object.values(reactionMaterials).flat().map((material) => material.id);
+function getReactionMaterialsIDs(materials) {
+  return Object.fromEntries(
+    Object.entries(materials).map(([materialType, materialsOfType]) => [
+      materialType,
+      materialsOfType.map((material) => material.id.toString())
+    ])
+  );
 }
 
-function getReactionMaterialsGasTypes(reactionMaterials) {
-  return Object.values(reactionMaterials).flat().map((material) => material.gas_type);
+function getReactionMaterialsGasTypes(materials) {
+  return Object.values(materials).flat().map((material) => material.gas_type);
 }
 
-function updateYields(variationsRow, reactionHasPolymers) {
-  const updatedVariationsRow = cloneDeep(variationsRow);
-  const referenceMaterial = getReferenceMaterial(updatedVariationsRow);
+function updateYields(row, reactionHasPolymers) {
+  const updatedRow = cloneDeep(row);
+  const referenceMaterial = getReferenceMaterial(updatedRow);
+  if (!referenceMaterial) { return updatedRow; }
 
-  Object.values(updatedVariationsRow.products).forEach((productMaterial) => {
+  Object.values(updatedRow.products).forEach((productMaterial) => {
     if (productMaterial.aux.gasType === 'gas') { return; }
     productMaterial.yield.value = computePercentYield(
       productMaterial,
@@ -95,21 +101,22 @@ function updateYields(variationsRow, reactionHasPolymers) {
     );
   });
 
-  return updatedVariationsRow;
+  return updatedRow;
 }
 
-function updateEquivalents(variationsRow) {
-  const updatedVariationsRow = cloneDeep(variationsRow);
-  const referenceMaterial = getReferenceMaterial(updatedVariationsRow);
+function updateEquivalents(row) {
+  const updatedRow = cloneDeep(row);
+  const referenceMaterial = getReferenceMaterial(updatedRow);
+  if (!referenceMaterial) { return updatedRow; }
 
   ['startingMaterials', 'reactants'].forEach((materialType) => {
-    Object.values(updatedVariationsRow[materialType]).forEach((material) => {
+    Object.values(updatedRow[materialType]).forEach((material) => {
       if (material.aux.isReference) { return; }
       const updatedEquivalent = computeEquivalent(material, referenceMaterial);
       material.equivalent.value = updatedEquivalent;
     });
   });
-  return updatedVariationsRow;
+  return updatedRow;
 }
 
 function getMaterialEntries(materialType, gasType) {
@@ -190,7 +197,7 @@ function getMaterialData(material, materialType, gasMode = false, vesselVolume =
   return materialData;
 }
 
-function getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, headerComponent, gasMode) {
+function getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, gasMode) {
   const materialCopy = cloneDeep(material);
 
   let gasType = materialCopy.gas_type ?? 'off';
@@ -202,7 +209,7 @@ function getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, headerComponent, ga
   );
   const entry = entries[0];
 
-  let names = new Set([`ID: ${materialCopy.id.toString()}`]);
+  let names = new Set([`ID: ${materialCopy.id}`]);
   ['external_label', 'name', 'short_label', 'molecule_formula', 'molecule_iupac_name'].forEach((name) => {
     if (materialCopy[name]) {
       names.add(materialCopy[name]);
@@ -221,7 +228,7 @@ function getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, headerComponent, ga
     },
     editable: (params) => cellIsEditable(params),
     cellDataType: getCellDataType(entry, gasType),
-    headerComponent,
+    headerComponent: MenuHeader,
     headerComponentParams: {
       names,
       gasType,
@@ -229,40 +236,42 @@ function getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, headerComponent, ga
   };
 }
 
-function removeObsoleteMaterialsFromVariations(variations, currentMaterials) {
-  const updatedVariations = cloneDeep(variations);
-  updatedVariations.forEach((row) => {
-    Object.keys(materialTypes).forEach((materialType) => {
-      Object.keys(row[materialType]).forEach((materialName) => {
-        if (!currentMaterials[materialType].map((material) => material.id.toString()).includes(materialName)) {
-          delete row[materialType][materialName];
-        }
-      });
-    });
-  });
-  return updatedVariations;
+function resetColumnDefinitionsMaterials(columnDefinitions, materials, selectedColumns, gasMode) {
+  return Object.entries(materials).reduce((updatedDefinitions, [materialType, materialsOfType]) => {
+    const updatedMaterials = materialsOfType
+      .filter((material) => selectedColumns[materialType].includes(material.id.toString()))
+      .map((material) => getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, gasMode));
+
+    return updateColumnDefinitions(
+      updatedDefinitions,
+      materialType,
+      'children',
+      updatedMaterials
+    );
+  }, cloneDeep(columnDefinitions));
 }
 
-function addMissingMaterialsToVariations(variations, currentMaterials, gasMode) {
-  const updatedVariations = cloneDeep(variations);
-  updatedVariations.forEach((row) => {
-    Object.keys(materialTypes).forEach((materialType) => {
-      currentMaterials[materialType].forEach((material) => {
-        if (!(material.id in row[materialType])) {
-          row[materialType][material.id] = getMaterialData(material, materialType, gasMode);
-        }
-      });
-    });
+function removeObsoleteMaterialColumns(materials, columns) {
+  const updatedColumns = cloneDeep(columns);
+
+  Object.entries(materials).forEach(([materialType, materialsOfType]) => {
+    updatedColumns[materialType] = updatedColumns[materialType].filter(
+      (materialID) => materialsOfType.map((material) => material.id.toString()).includes(materialID.toString())
+    );
   });
-  return updatedVariations;
+
+  return updatedColumns;
 }
 
-function updateVariationsGasTypes(variations, currentMaterials, gasMode) {
+function updateVariationsGasTypes(variations, materials, gasMode) {
   const updatedVariations = cloneDeep(variations);
   updatedVariations.forEach((row) => {
     Object.keys(materialTypes).forEach((materialType) => {
-      currentMaterials[materialType].forEach((material) => {
+      materials[materialType].forEach((material) => {
         const currentGasType = material.gas_type ?? 'off';
+        if (!Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(row[materialType], material.id.toString())) {
+          return;
+        }
         if (currentGasType !== row[materialType][material.id].aux.gasType) {
           row[materialType][material.id] = getMaterialData(material, materialType, gasMode);
         }
@@ -272,54 +281,6 @@ function updateVariationsGasTypes(variations, currentMaterials, gasMode) {
   return updatedVariations;
 }
 
-function updateColumnDefinitionsMaterialTypes(columnDefinitions, currentMaterials, gasMode) {
-  let updatedColumnDefinitions = cloneDeep(columnDefinitions);
-
-  Object.entries(currentMaterials).forEach(([materialType, materials]) => {
-    const updatedMaterials = materials.map(
-      (material) => getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, MenuHeader, gasMode)
-    );
-    updatedColumnDefinitions = updateColumnDefinitions(
-      updatedColumnDefinitions,
-      materialType,
-      'children',
-      updatedMaterials
-    );
-  });
-
-  return updatedColumnDefinitions;
-}
-
-function updateColumnDefinitionsMaterials(columnDefinitions, currentMaterials, headerComponent, gasMode) {
-  const updatedColumnDefinitions = cloneDeep(columnDefinitions);
-
-  Object.entries(currentMaterials).forEach(([materialType, materials]) => {
-    const materialIDs = materials.map((material) => material.id.toString());
-    const materialColumnGroup = updatedColumnDefinitions.find((columnGroup) => columnGroup.groupId === materialType);
-
-    // Remove obsolete materials.
-    materialColumnGroup.children = materialColumnGroup.children.filter((child) => {
-      const childID = child.field.split('.').splice(1).join('.'); // Ensure that IDs that contain "." are handled correctly.
-      return materialIDs.includes(childID);
-    });
-    // Add missing materials.
-    materials.forEach((material) => {
-      if (!materialColumnGroup.children.some((child) => child.field === `${materialType}.${material.id}`)) {
-        materialColumnGroup.children.push(
-          getMaterialColumnGroupChild(
-            material,
-            materialType,
-            headerComponent,
-            gasMode
-          )
-        );
-      }
-    });
-  });
-
-  return updatedColumnDefinitions;
-}
-
 function updateVariationsRowOnReferenceMaterialChange(row, reactionHasPolymers) {
   let updatedRow = cloneDeep(row);
   updatedRow = updateEquivalents(updatedRow);
@@ -330,7 +291,7 @@ function updateVariationsRowOnReferenceMaterialChange(row, reactionHasPolymers)
 
 function updateVariationsRowOnCatalystMaterialChange(row) {
   const updatedRow = cloneDeep(row);
-  const catalystMaterialAmount = getCatalystMaterial(updatedRow).amount.value;
+  const catalystMaterialAmount = getCatalystMaterial(updatedRow)?.amount.value;
 
   Object.values(updatedRow.products).forEach((productMaterial) => {
     if (productMaterial.aux.gasType === 'gas') {
@@ -369,19 +330,29 @@ function updateVariationsRowOnFeedstockMaterialChange(row) {
   return updatedRow;
 }
 
+function computeDerivedQuantitiesVariationsRow(row, reactionHasPolymers, gasMode) {
+  let updatedRow = row;
+  updatedRow = updateVariationsRowOnReferenceMaterialChange(row, reactionHasPolymers);
+  if (gasMode) {
+    updatedRow = updateVariationsRowOnCatalystMaterialChange(updatedRow);
+    updatedRow = updateVariationsRowOnFeedstockMaterialChange(updatedRow);
+  }
+
+  return updatedRow;
+}
+
 export {
   getMaterialColumnGroupChild,
   getReactionMaterials,
   getReactionMaterialsIDs,
   getReactionMaterialsGasTypes,
   getMaterialData,
-  updateColumnDefinitionsMaterials,
-  updateColumnDefinitionsMaterialTypes,
+  resetColumnDefinitionsMaterials,
   updateVariationsRowOnReferenceMaterialChange,
   updateVariationsRowOnCatalystMaterialChange,
   updateVariationsRowOnFeedstockMaterialChange,
-  removeObsoleteMaterialsFromVariations,
-  addMissingMaterialsToVariations,
+  computeDerivedQuantitiesVariationsRow,
+  removeObsoleteMaterialColumns,
   updateVariationsGasTypes,
   getReferenceMaterial,
   getCatalystMaterial,
diff --git a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsReducers.js b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsReducers.js
index da0d832f6c..2a01403f72 100644
--- a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsReducers.js
+++ b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsReducers.js
@@ -1,21 +1,31 @@
-import { MenuHeader } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsComponents';
 import {
-  updateColumnDefinitionsMaterials, updateColumnDefinitionsMaterialTypes
+  resetColumnDefinitionsMaterials
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials';
 import {
-  getCellDataType,
-  updateColumnDefinitions
+  getCellDataType, updateColumnDefinitions, addMissingColumnDefinitions, removeObsoleteColumnDefinitions,
+  getColumnDefinitions
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils';
 
-function columnDefinitionsReducer(columnDefinitions, action) {
+export default function columnDefinitionsReducer(columnDefinitions, action) {
   switch (action.type) {
-    case 'update_material_set': {
-      return updateColumnDefinitionsMaterials(
+    case 'remove_obsolete_materials': {
+      return removeObsoleteColumnDefinitions(
         columnDefinitions,
-        action.reactionMaterials,
-        MenuHeader,
+        action.selectedColumns,
+      );
+    }
+    case 'apply_column_selection': {
+      let updatedColumnDefinitions = addMissingColumnDefinitions(
+        columnDefinitions,
+        action.selectedColumns,
+        action.materials,
         action.gasMode
       );
+      updatedColumnDefinitions = removeObsoleteColumnDefinitions(
+        updatedColumnDefinitions,
+        action.selectedColumns
+      );
+      return updatedColumnDefinitions;
     }
     case 'update_entry_defs': {
       let updatedColumnDefinitions = updateColumnDefinitions(
@@ -33,24 +43,17 @@ function columnDefinitionsReducer(columnDefinitions, action) {
       return updatedColumnDefinitions;
     }
     case 'toggle_gas_mode': {
-      let updatedColumnDefinitions = updateColumnDefinitions(
-        columnDefinitions,
-        'properties.duration',
-        'editable',
-        !action.gasMode
-      );
-      updatedColumnDefinitions = updateColumnDefinitionsMaterialTypes(
-        updatedColumnDefinitions,
-        action.reactionMaterials,
+      return getColumnDefinitions(
+        action.selectedColumns,
+        action.materials,
         action.gasMode
       );
-
-      return updatedColumnDefinitions;
     }
     case 'update_gas_type': {
-      return updateColumnDefinitionsMaterialTypes(
+      return resetColumnDefinitionsMaterials(
         columnDefinitions,
-        action.reactionMaterials,
+        action.materials,
+        action.selectedColumns,
         action.gasMode
       );
     }
@@ -59,7 +62,3 @@ function columnDefinitionsReducer(columnDefinitions, action) {
     }
   }
 }
-
-export {
-  columnDefinitionsReducer
-};
diff --git a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils.js b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils.js
index dae2aee38c..83ff40d9ed 100644
--- a/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils.js
+++ b/app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils.js
@@ -4,9 +4,14 @@ import { metPreConv as convertAmount } from 'src/utilities/metricPrefix';
 import {
   updateVariationsRowOnReferenceMaterialChange,
   updateVariationsRowOnCatalystMaterialChange,
-  updateVariationsRowOnFeedstockMaterialChange,
-  getMaterialData
+  getMaterialData, getMaterialColumnGroupChild, computeDerivedQuantitiesVariationsRow
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials';
+import {
+  AnalysesCellRenderer, AnalysesCellEditor, getAnalysesOverlay, AnalysisOverlay
+} from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsAnalyses';
+import {
+  NoteCellRenderer, NoteCellEditor, MenuHeader, RowToolsCellRenderer
+} from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsComponents';
 
 const REACTION_VARIATIONS_TAB_KEY = 'reactionVariationsTab';
 const temperatureUnits = ['°C', 'K', '°F'];
@@ -168,44 +173,78 @@ function getSequentialId(variations) {
   return (ids.length === 0) ? 1 : Math.max(...ids) + 1;
 }
 
-function createVariationsRow(reaction, variations, gasMode = false, vesselVolume = null) {
-  const reactionCopy = cloneDeep(reaction);
-  const { dispValue: durationValue = null, dispUnit: durationUnit = 'None' } = reactionCopy.durationDisplay ?? {};
-  const { userText: temperatureValue = null, valueUnit: temperatureUnit = 'None' } = reactionCopy.temperature ?? {};
-  const row = {
-    id: getSequentialId(variations),
-    properties: {
-      temperature: {
+function getPropertyData(propertyType, durationValue, durationUnit, temperatureValue, temperatureUnit) {
+  switch (propertyType) {
+    case 'temperature':
+      return {
         value: convertUnit(temperatureValue, temperatureUnit, getStandardUnits('temperature')[0]),
         unit: getStandardUnits('temperature')[0]
-      },
-      duration: {
+      };
+    case 'duration':
+      return {
         value: convertUnit(durationValue, durationUnit, getStandardUnits('duration')[0]),
         unit: getStandardUnits('duration')[0],
-      },
-    },
-    analyses: [],
-    notes: '',
+      };
+    default:
+      return { value: null, unit: null };
+  }
+}
+
+function getMetaData(metadataType) {
+  switch (metadataType) {
+    case 'analyses':
+      return [];
+    case 'notes':
+      return '';
+    default:
+      return null;
+  }
+}
+
+function createVariationsRow({
+  materials,
+  selectedColumns,
+  variations,
+  reactionHasPolymers = false,
+  durationValue = null,
+  durationUnit = 'None',
+  temperatureValue = null,
+  temperatureUnit = 'None',
+  gasMode = false,
+  vesselVolume = null
+}) {
+  const row = {
+    id: getSequentialId(variations),
+    properties: Object.fromEntries(
+      selectedColumns.properties.map((propertyType) => [propertyType, getPropertyData(
+        propertyType,
+        durationValue,
+        durationUnit,
+        temperatureValue,
+        temperatureUnit
+      )])
+    ),
+    metadata: Object.fromEntries(
+      selectedColumns.metadata.map((metadataType) => [metadataType, getMetaData(metadataType)])
+    ),
   };
-  Object.entries(materialTypes).forEach(([materialType, { reactionAttributeName }]) => {
-    row[materialType] = reactionCopy[reactionAttributeName].reduce((a, v) => (
-      { ...a, [v.id]: getMaterialData(v, materialType, gasMode, vesselVolume) }), {});
+  Object.keys(materialTypes).forEach((materialType) => {
+    row[materialType] = {};
+    selectedColumns[materialType].forEach((materialID) => {
+      const material = materials[materialType].find((m) => m.id.toString() === materialID.toString());
+      row[materialType][materialID] = getMaterialData(material, materialType, gasMode, vesselVolume);
+    });
   });
 
   // Compute dependent values that aren't supplied by initial data.
-  let updatedRow = updateVariationsRowOnReferenceMaterialChange(row, reactionCopy.has_polymers);
-  if (gasMode) {
-    updatedRow = updateVariationsRowOnCatalystMaterialChange(updatedRow);
-    updatedRow = updateVariationsRowOnFeedstockMaterialChange(updatedRow);
-  }
-  return updatedRow;
+  return computeDerivedQuantitiesVariationsRow(row, reactionHasPolymers, gasMode);
 }
 
 function copyVariationsRow(row, variations) {
   const copiedRow = cloneDeep(row);
   copiedRow.id = getSequentialId(variations);
-  copiedRow.analyses = [];
-  copiedRow.notes = '';
+  copiedRow.metadata.notes = getMetaData('notes');
+  copiedRow.metadata.analyses = getMetaData('analyses');
 
   return copiedRow;
 }
@@ -239,6 +278,174 @@ function updateVariationsRow(row, field, value, reactionHasPolymers) {
   return updatedRow;
 }
 
+function addMissingColumnsToVariations({
+  materials,
+  selectedColumns,
+  variations,
+  reactionHasPolymers = false,
+  durationValue = null,
+  durationUnit = 'None',
+  temperatureValue = null,
+  temperatureUnit = 'None',
+  gasMode = false,
+  vesselVolume = null
+}) {
+  const updatedVariations = cloneDeep(variations);
+  updatedVariations.forEach((row) => {
+    Object.entries(selectedColumns).forEach(([columnGroupID, columnGroupChildIDs]) => {
+      columnGroupChildIDs.forEach((childID) => {
+        if (row[columnGroupID][childID]) { return; }
+
+        if (Object.keys(materialTypes).includes(columnGroupID)) {
+          const material = materials[columnGroupID].find((m) => m.id.toString() === childID.toString());
+          row[columnGroupID][childID] = getMaterialData(
+            material,
+            columnGroupID,
+            gasMode,
+            vesselVolume
+          );
+        }
+        if (columnGroupID === 'properties') {
+          row.properties[childID] = getPropertyData(
+            childID,
+            durationValue,
+            durationUnit,
+            temperatureValue,
+            temperatureUnit
+          );
+        }
+        if (columnGroupID === 'metadata') {
+          row.metadata[childID] = getMetaData(childID);
+        }
+      });
+    });
+    return computeDerivedQuantitiesVariationsRow(row, reactionHasPolymers, gasMode);
+  });
+
+  return updatedVariations;
+}
+
+function removeObsoleteColumnsFromVariations(variations, selectedColumns) {
+  const updatedVariations = cloneDeep(variations);
+  updatedVariations.forEach((row) => {
+    Object.entries(selectedColumns).forEach(([columnGroupID, columnGroupChildIDs]) => {
+      row[columnGroupID] = Object.fromEntries(
+        Object.entries(row[columnGroupID]).filter(([key, value]) => columnGroupChildIDs.includes(key))
+      );
+    });
+  });
+
+  return updatedVariations;
+}
+
+function getPropertyColumnGroupChild(propertyType, gasMode) {
+  switch (propertyType) {
+    case 'temperature':
+      return {
+        field: 'properties.temperature',
+        cellDataType: getCellDataType('temperature'),
+        entryDefs: {
+          currentEntry: 'temperature',
+          displayUnit: getStandardUnits('temperature')[0],
+          availableEntries: ['temperature']
+        },
+        headerComponent: MenuHeader,
+        headerComponentParams: {
+          names: ['T'],
+        }
+      };
+    case 'duration':
+      return {
+        field: 'properties.duration',
+        cellDataType: getCellDataType('duration'),
+        editable: !gasMode,
+        entryDefs: {
+          currentEntry: 'duration',
+          displayUnit: getStandardUnits('duration')[0],
+          availableEntries: ['duration']
+        },
+        headerComponent: MenuHeader,
+        headerComponentParams: {
+          names: ['t'],
+        }
+      };
+    default:
+      return {};
+  }
+}
+
+function getMetadataColumnGroupChild(metadataType) {
+  switch (metadataType) {
+    case 'notes':
+      return {
+        headerName: 'Notes',
+        field: 'metadata.notes',
+        cellRenderer: NoteCellRenderer,
+        sortable: false,
+        cellDataType: 'text',
+        cellEditor: NoteCellEditor,
+      };
+    case 'analyses':
+      return {
+        headerName: 'Analyses',
+        field: 'metadata.analyses',
+        tooltipValueGetter: getAnalysesOverlay,
+        tooltipComponent: AnalysisOverlay,
+        cellRenderer: AnalysesCellRenderer,
+        cellEditor: AnalysesCellEditor,
+        cellDataType: false,
+        sortable: false,
+      };
+    default:
+      return {};
+  }
+}
+
+function addMissingColumnDefinitions(columnDefinitions, selectedColumns, materials, gasMode) {
+  const updatedColumnDefinitions = cloneDeep(columnDefinitions);
+
+  Object.entries(selectedColumns).forEach(([columnGroupID, columnGroupChildIDs]) => {
+    const columnGroup = updatedColumnDefinitions.find(
+      (currentColumnGroup) => currentColumnGroup.groupId === columnGroupID
+    );
+    columnGroupChildIDs.forEach((childID) => {
+      if (columnGroup.children.some((child) => child.field === `${columnGroupID}.${childID}`)) {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (Object.keys(materialTypes).includes(columnGroupID)) {
+        const material = materials[columnGroupID].find((m) => m.id.toString() === childID.toString());
+        columnGroup.children.push(getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, columnGroupID, gasMode));
+      }
+      if (columnGroupID === 'properties') {
+        columnGroup.children.push(getPropertyColumnGroupChild(childID, gasMode));
+      }
+      if (columnGroupID === 'metadata') {
+        columnGroup.children.push(getMetadataColumnGroupChild(childID));
+      }
+    });
+  });
+
+  return updatedColumnDefinitions;
+}
+
+function removeObsoleteColumnDefinitions(columnDefinitions, selectedColumns) {
+  const updatedColumnDefinitions = cloneDeep(columnDefinitions);
+
+  Object.entries(selectedColumns).forEach(([columnGroupID, columnGroupChildIDs]) => {
+    const columnGroup = updatedColumnDefinitions.find(
+      (currentColumnGroup) => currentColumnGroup.groupId === columnGroupID
+    );
+
+    columnGroup.children = columnGroup.children.filter((child) => {
+      const childID = child.field.split('.').splice(1).join('.'); // Ensure that IDs that contain "." are handled correctly.
+      return columnGroupChildIDs.includes(childID);
+    });
+  });
+
+  return updatedColumnDefinitions;
+}
+
 function updateColumnDefinitions(columnDefinitions, field, property, newValue) {
   const updatedColumnDefinitions = cloneDeep(columnDefinitions);
 
@@ -263,6 +470,56 @@ function updateColumnDefinitions(columnDefinitions, field, property, newValue) {
   return updatedColumnDefinitions;
 }
 
+function getColumnDefinitions(selectedColumns, materials, gasMode) {
+  return [
+    {
+      headerName: 'Tools',
+      cellRenderer: RowToolsCellRenderer,
+      lockPosition: 'left',
+      sortable: false,
+      maxWidth: 100,
+      cellDataType: false,
+    },
+    {
+      headerName: 'Metadata',
+      groupId: 'metadata',
+      marryChildren: true,
+      children: selectedColumns.metadata.map((entry) => getMetadataColumnGroupChild(entry))
+    },
+    {
+      headerName: 'Properties',
+      groupId: 'properties',
+      marryChildren: true,
+      children: selectedColumns.properties.map((entry) => getPropertyColumnGroupChild(entry, gasMode))
+    },
+  ].concat(
+    Object.entries(materialTypes).map(([materialType, { label }]) => ({
+      headerName: label,
+      groupId: materialType,
+      marryChildren: true,
+      children: selectedColumns[materialType].map(
+        (materialID) => getMaterialColumnGroupChild(
+          materials[materialType].find((material) => material.id.toString() === materialID),
+          materialType,
+          gasMode
+        )
+      )
+    }))
+  );
+}
+
+function getVariationsColumns(variations) {
+  const variationsRow = variations[0];
+  const materialColumns = Object.entries(materialTypes).reduce((materialsByType, [materialType]) => {
+    materialsByType[materialType] = Object.keys(variationsRow ? variationsRow[materialType] : []);
+    return materialsByType;
+  }, {});
+  const propertyColumns = Object.keys(variationsRow ? variationsRow.properties : {});
+  const metadataColumns = Object.keys(variationsRow ? variationsRow.metadata : {});
+
+  return { ...materialColumns, properties: propertyColumns, metadata: metadataColumns };
+}
+
 export {
   massUnits,
   volumeUnits,
@@ -274,12 +531,20 @@ export {
   convertUnit,
   materialTypes,
   getVariationsRowName,
+  getVariationsColumns,
   createVariationsRow,
   copyVariationsRow,
   updateVariationsRow,
   updateColumnDefinitions,
+  getColumnDefinitions,
   getCellDataType,
   getUserFacingUnit,
   getStandardValue,
+  addMissingColumnsToVariations,
+  removeObsoleteColumnsFromVariations,
+  addMissingColumnDefinitions,
+  removeObsoleteColumnDefinitions,
+  getMetadataColumnGroupChild,
+  getPropertyColumnGroupChild,
   REACTION_VARIATIONS_TAB_KEY
 };
diff --git a/db/migrate/20250304140809_add_metadata_to_reaction_variations.rb b/db/migrate/20250304140809_add_metadata_to_reaction_variations.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d1ec56af8e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20250304140809_add_metadata_to_reaction_variations.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+class AddMetadataToReactionVariations < ActiveRecord::Migration[6.1]
+  def up
+    Reaction.where.not('variations = ?', '[]').find_each do |reaction|
+      variations = reaction.variations
+      variations.each do |variation|
+        variation['metadata'] ||= {}
+        
+        if variation['notes']
+           variation['metadata']['notes'] = variation.delete('notes')
+        end
+        if variation['analyses']
+           variation['metadata']['analyses'] = variation.delete('analyses')
+        end
+      end
+      reaction.update_column(:variations, variations)
+    end
+  end
+
+  def down
+    Reaction.where.not('variations = ?', '[]').find_each do |reaction|
+      variations = reaction.variations
+      variations.each do |variation|
+        next unless variation['metadata']
+
+        variation['notes'] ||= variation['metadata'].delete('notes') || ''
+        variation['analyses'] ||= variation['metadata'].delete('analyses') || []
+        variation.delete('metadata')
+      end
+      reaction.update_column(:variations, variations)
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/schema.rb b/db/schema.rb
index c5f8c6b56d..7422742009 100644
--- a/db/schema.rb
+++ b/db/schema.rb
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 #
 # It's strongly recommended that you check this file into your version control system.
 
-ActiveRecord::Schema.define(version: 2025_02_18_161800) do
+ActiveRecord::Schema.define(version: 2025_03_04_140809) do
 
   # These are extensions that must be enabled in order to support this database
   enable_extension "hstore"
diff --git a/spec/factories/reactions.rb b/spec/factories/reactions.rb
index dbd8200e6e..ff587e52fe 100644
--- a/spec/factories/reactions.rb
+++ b/spec/factories/reactions.rb
@@ -96,8 +96,10 @@ def get_aux(sample, material_type)
 
           {
             id: i.to_s,
-            analyses: [],
-            notes: '',
+            metadata: {
+              analyses: [],
+              notes: '',
+            },
             properties: {
               duration: { unit: 'Hour(s)', value: '42' },
               temperature: { unit: '°C', value: '42' },
diff --git a/spec/javascripts/helper/reactionVariationsHelpers.js b/spec/javascripts/helper/reactionVariationsHelpers.js
index e31e1cb55a..3bd112d123 100644
--- a/spec/javascripts/helper/reactionVariationsHelpers.js
+++ b/spec/javascripts/helper/reactionVariationsHelpers.js
@@ -3,18 +3,40 @@ import SampleFactory from 'factories/SampleFactory';
 import {
   createVariationsRow,
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils';
+import {
+  getReactionMaterials,
+  getReactionMaterialsIDs
+} from '../../../app/javascript/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials';
 
 async function setUpMaterial() {
   return SampleFactory.build('SampleFactory.water_100g');
 }
+
+function getSelectedColumns(materialIDs) {
+  return { ...materialIDs, properties: ['duration', 'temperature'], metadata: ['analyses', 'notes'] };
+}
+
 async function setUpReaction() {
   const reaction = await ReactionFactory.build('ReactionFactory.water+water=>water+water');
   reaction.starting_materials[0].reference = true;
   reaction.reactants = [await setUpMaterial()];
 
+  const materials = getReactionMaterials(reaction);
+  const materialIDs = getReactionMaterialsIDs(materials);
+
   const variations = [];
   for (let id = 0; id < 3; id++) {
-    variations.push(createVariationsRow(reaction, variations));
+    variations.push(createVariationsRow(
+      {
+        materials,
+        selectedColumns: getSelectedColumns(materialIDs),
+        variations,
+        durationValue: '',
+        durationUnit: 'Hour(s)',
+        temperatureValue: '',
+        temperatureUnit: '°C',
+      }
+    ));
   }
   reaction.variations = variations;
 
@@ -38,9 +60,20 @@ async function setUpGaseousReaction() {
   reaction.products[0].amount_unit = 'mol';
   reaction.products[0].amount_value = 1;
 
+  const materials = getReactionMaterials(reaction);
+  const materialIDs = getReactionMaterialsIDs(materials);
+
   const variations = [];
   for (let id = 0; id < 3; id++) {
-    variations.push(createVariationsRow(reaction, variations, true, 10));
+    variations.push(createVariationsRow(
+      {
+        materials,
+        selectedColumns: getSelectedColumns(materialIDs),
+        variations,
+        gasMode: true,
+        vesselVolume: 10
+      }
+    ));
   }
   reaction.variations = variations;
 
@@ -65,5 +98,10 @@ function getColumnDefinitionsMaterialIDs(columnDefinitions, materialType) {
 }
 
 export {
-  setUpMaterial, setUpReaction, setUpGaseousReaction, getColumnGroupChild, getColumnDefinitionsMaterialIDs
+  setUpMaterial,
+  setUpReaction,
+  setUpGaseousReaction,
+  getColumnGroupChild,
+  getColumnDefinitionsMaterialIDs,
+  getSelectedColumns
 };
diff --git a/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsAnalyses.spec.js b/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsAnalyses.spec.js
index a2505a7a06..eb3e6b5a8f 100644
--- a/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsAnalyses.spec.js
+++ b/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsAnalyses.spec.js
@@ -28,30 +28,30 @@ describe('ReactionVariationsAnalyses', async () => {
     });
     it('when no update is necessary', async () => {
       let { variations } = reaction;
-      variations[0].analyses = [analysisFoo.id];
-      variations[1].analyses = [analysisBar.id];
+      variations[0].metadata.analyses = [analysisFoo.id];
+      variations[1].metadata.analyses = [analysisBar.id];
       expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))).toEqual(variations);
     });
     it('when analysis is removed', async () => {
       let { variations } = reaction;
-      variations[0].analyses = [analysisFoo.id];
-      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[0].analyses).toEqual([analysisFoo.id]);
+      variations[0].metadata.analyses = [analysisFoo.id];
+      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[0].metadata.analyses).toEqual([analysisFoo.id]);
       reaction.container.children[0].children = reaction.container.children[0].children.filter((child) => child.id !== analysisFoo.id);
-      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[0].analyses).toEqual([]);
+      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[0].metadata.analyses).toEqual([]);
     });
     it('when analysis is marked as deleted', async () => {
       let { variations } = reaction;
-      variations[1].analyses = [analysisBar.id];
-      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[1].analyses).toEqual([analysisBar.id]);
+      variations[1].metadata.analyses = [analysisBar.id];
+      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[1].metadata.analyses).toEqual([analysisBar.id]);
       analysisBar.is_deleted = true;
-      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[1].analyses).toEqual([]);
+      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[1].metadata.analyses).toEqual([]);
     });
     it('when analysis is new', async () => {
       let { variations } = reaction;
-      variations[1].analyses = [analysisBar.id];
-      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[1].analyses).toEqual([analysisBar.id]);
+      variations[1].metadata.analyses = [analysisBar.id];
+      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[1].metadata.analyses).toEqual([analysisBar.id]);
       analysisBar.is_new = true;
-      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[1].analyses).toEqual([]);
+      expect(updateAnalyses(variations, getReactionAnalyses(reaction))[1].metadata.analyses).toEqual([]);
     });
   });
 });
diff --git a/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials.spec.js b/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials.spec.js
index 4890627308..1223f71386 100644
--- a/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials.spec.js
+++ b/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials.spec.js
@@ -1,54 +1,22 @@
 import expect from 'expect';
 import {
-  getReactionMaterials, updateVariationsRowOnReferenceMaterialChange,
-  removeObsoleteMaterialsFromVariations, addMissingMaterialsToVariations,
-  updateColumnDefinitionsMaterials, updateVariationsRowOnCatalystMaterialChange,
-  getMaterialColumnGroupChild, getReactionMaterialsIDs, updateColumnDefinitionsMaterialTypes,
-  getReactionMaterialsGasTypes, updateVariationsGasTypes, cellIsEditable
+  getReactionMaterials, updateVariationsRowOnReferenceMaterialChange, removeObsoleteMaterialColumns,
+  updateVariationsRowOnCatalystMaterialChange, getMaterialColumnGroupChild, getReactionMaterialsIDs,
+  resetColumnDefinitionsMaterials, getReactionMaterialsGasTypes, updateVariationsGasTypes, cellIsEditable
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials';
 import {
   EquivalentParser
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsComponents';
 import {
-  setUpMaterial, setUpReaction, setUpGaseousReaction, getColumnDefinitionsMaterialIDs, getColumnGroupChild
+  setUpReaction, setUpGaseousReaction, getColumnDefinitionsMaterialIDs, getColumnGroupChild
 } from 'helper/reactionVariationsHelpers';
-import { materialTypes } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils';
+import {
+  materialTypes,
+
+} from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils';
 import { cloneDeep } from 'lodash';
 
 describe('ReactionVariationsMaterials', () => {
-  it('removes obsolete materials', async () => {
-    const reaction = await setUpReaction();
-    const productIDs = reaction.products.map((product) => product.id);
-    reaction.variations.forEach((variation) => {
-      expect(Object.keys(variation.products)).toEqual(productIDs);
-    });
-
-    reaction.products.pop();
-    const updatedProductIDs = reaction.products.map((product) => product.id);
-    const currentMaterials = getReactionMaterials(reaction);
-    const updatedVariations = removeObsoleteMaterialsFromVariations(reaction.variations, currentMaterials);
-    updatedVariations
-      .forEach((variation) => {
-        expect(Object.keys(variation.products)).toEqual(updatedProductIDs);
-      });
-  });
-  it('adds missing materials', async () => {
-    const reaction = await setUpReaction();
-    const material = await setUpMaterial();
-    const startingMaterialIDs = reaction.starting_materials.map((startingMaterial) => startingMaterial.id);
-    reaction.variations.forEach((variation) => {
-      expect(Object.keys(variation.startingMaterials)).toEqual(startingMaterialIDs);
-    });
-
-    reaction.starting_materials.push(material);
-    const updatedStartingMaterialIDs = reaction.starting_materials.map((startingMaterial) => startingMaterial.id);
-    const currentMaterials = getReactionMaterials(reaction);
-    const updatedVariations = addMissingMaterialsToVariations(reaction.variations, currentMaterials, false);
-    updatedVariations
-      .forEach((variation) => {
-        expect(Object.keys(variation.startingMaterials)).toEqual(updatedStartingMaterialIDs);
-      });
-  });
   it('updates yield when product mass changes', async () => {
     const reaction = await setUpReaction();
     const productID = reaction.products[0].id;
@@ -88,31 +56,12 @@ describe('ReactionVariationsMaterials', () => {
       newValue: Number(-42).toString()
     }).mass.value).toBe(0);
   });
-  it('removes obsolete materials from column definitions', async () => {
-    const reaction = await setUpReaction();
-    const reactionMaterials = getReactionMaterials(reaction);
-    const columnDefinitions = Object.entries(reactionMaterials).map(([materialType, materials]) => ({
-      groupId: materialType,
-      children: materials.map((material) => getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, null, false))
-    }));
-
-    const startingMaterialIDs = reactionMaterials.startingMaterials.map((material) => material.id);
-    expect(getColumnDefinitionsMaterialIDs(columnDefinitions, 'startingMaterials')).toEqual(startingMaterialIDs);
-
-    reactionMaterials.startingMaterials.pop();
-    const updatedStartingMaterialIDs = reactionMaterials.startingMaterials.map((material) => material.id);
-    const updatedColumnDefinitions = updateColumnDefinitionsMaterials(columnDefinitions, reactionMaterials, null, false);
-    expect(getColumnDefinitionsMaterialIDs(
-      updatedColumnDefinitions,
-      'startingMaterials'
-    )).toEqual(updatedStartingMaterialIDs);
-  });
   it('retrieves reaction material IDs', async () => {
     const reaction = await setUpReaction();
     const reactionMaterials = getReactionMaterials(reaction);
     const reactionMaterialsIDs = getReactionMaterialsIDs(reactionMaterials);
-    expect(Array.isArray(reactionMaterialsIDs)).toBe(true);
-    expect(new Set(reactionMaterialsIDs).size).toBe(5);
+    expect(typeof reactionMaterialsIDs).toBe('object');
+    expect(Object.values(reactionMaterialsIDs).flat().length).toEqual(5);
   });
   it('retrieves reaction material gas types', async () => {
     const reaction = await setUpGaseousReaction();
@@ -150,7 +99,7 @@ describe('ReactionVariationsMaterials', () => {
     const reactionMaterials = getReactionMaterials(reaction);
     const columnDefinitions = Object.entries(reactionMaterials).map(([materialType, materials]) => ({
       groupId: materialType,
-      children: materials.map((material) => getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, null, false))
+      children: materials.map((material) => getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, false))
     }));
 
     Object.keys(materialTypes).forEach((materialType) => {
@@ -171,9 +120,10 @@ describe('ReactionVariationsMaterials', () => {
       });
     });
 
-    const updatedColumnDefinitions = updateColumnDefinitionsMaterialTypes(
+    const updatedColumnDefinitions = resetColumnDefinitionsMaterials(
       columnDefinitions,
       reactionMaterials,
+      getReactionMaterialsIDs(reactionMaterials),
       true
     );
 
@@ -232,7 +182,7 @@ describe('ReactionVariationsMaterials', () => {
     expect(updatedVariationsRow.products[productID].turnoverNumber.value).toBe(initialTurnoverNumber * 2);
     expect(updatedVariationsRow.products[productID].turnoverFrequency.value).toBe(initialTurnoverFrequency * 2);
   });
-  it("initializes gas product yield", async () => {
+  it('initializes gas product yield', async () => {
     const reaction = await setUpGaseousReaction();
     const productID = reaction.products[0].id;
     const variationsRow = reaction.variations[0];
@@ -240,4 +190,16 @@ describe('ReactionVariationsMaterials', () => {
 
     expect(initialYield).not.toBe(null);
   });
+  it('removes obsolete material columns', async () => {
+    const reaction = await setUpReaction();
+    const materials = getReactionMaterials(reaction);
+    const columns = getReactionMaterialsIDs(materials);
+    materials.products.pop();
+
+    expect(columns.products.length).toEqual(2);
+
+    const updatedColumns = removeObsoleteMaterialColumns(materials, columns);
+
+    expect(updatedColumns.products.length).toEqual(1);
+  });
 });
diff --git a/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils.spec.js b/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils.spec.js
index 23e4422ede..28224d14e8 100644
--- a/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils.spec.js
+++ b/spec/javascripts/packs/src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils.spec.js
@@ -1,11 +1,18 @@
 import expect from 'expect';
 import {
-  convertUnit, createVariationsRow, copyVariationsRow, updateVariationsRow, updateColumnDefinitions
+  convertUnit, createVariationsRow, copyVariationsRow, updateVariationsRow, updateColumnDefinitions,
+  removeObsoleteColumnsFromVariations, removeObsoleteColumnDefinitions, addMissingColumnDefinitions,
+  addMissingColumnsToVariations, getVariationsColumns
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsUtils';
 import {
-  getReactionMaterials, getMaterialColumnGroupChild
+  getReactionMaterials, getMaterialColumnGroupChild, getReactionMaterialsIDs
 } from 'src/apps/mydb/elements/details/reactions/variationsTab/ReactionVariationsMaterials';
-import { setUpReaction, getColumnGroupChild } from 'helper/reactionVariationsHelpers';
+import {
+  setUpReaction,
+  getColumnGroupChild,
+  getSelectedColumns,
+  getColumnDefinitionsMaterialIDs
+} from 'helper/reactionVariationsHelpers';
 
 describe('ReactionVariationsUtils', () => {
   it('converts units', () => {
@@ -18,33 +25,136 @@ describe('ReactionVariationsUtils', () => {
     expect(convertUnit(1, 'Second(s)', 'Minute(s)')).toBeCloseTo(0.0167, 0.00001);
     expect(convertUnit(1, 'Minute(s)', 'Second(s)')).toBe(60);
   });
-  it('creates a row in the variations table', async () => {
+  it('creates a row in the variations table with selected materials', async () => {
     const reaction = await setUpReaction();
-    const row = createVariationsRow(reaction, reaction.variations);
+
+    expect(Object.keys(reaction.variations[0].products).length).toBe(2);
+
+    const materials = getReactionMaterials(reaction);
+    const materialIDs = getReactionMaterialsIDs(materials);
+    materialIDs.products.pop();
+
+    const row = createVariationsRow(
+      {
+        materials,
+        selectedColumns: getSelectedColumns(materialIDs),
+        variations: reaction.variations,
+        durationValue: '',
+        durationUnit: 'Hour(s)',
+        temperatureValue: '',
+        temperatureUnit: '°C'
+      }
+    );
+
+    expect(Object.keys(row.products).length).toBe(1);
+
     const nonReferenceStartingMaterial = Object.values(row.startingMaterials).find(
       (material) => !material.aux.isReference
     );
     const reactant = Object.values(row.reactants)[0];
     expect(row.id).toBe(4);
-    expect(row.analyses).toEqual([]);
-    expect(row.notes).toEqual('');
+    expect(row.metadata.analyses).toEqual([]);
+    expect(row.metadata.notes).toEqual('');
     expect(row.properties).toEqual({
       temperature: { value: '', unit: '°C' },
       duration: { value: NaN, unit: 'Second(s)' },
     });
-    expect(Object.values(row.products).map((product) => product.yield.value)).toEqual([100, 100]);
+    expect(Object.values(row.products).map((product) => product.yield.value)).toEqual([100]);
     expect(nonReferenceStartingMaterial.equivalent.value).toBe(1);
     expect(reactant.equivalent.value).toBe(1);
   });
+  it('adds missing columns to variations', async () => {
+    const reaction = await setUpReaction();
+    const { variations } = reaction;
+
+    let updatedVariations = removeObsoleteColumnsFromVariations(variations, { properties: [], metadata: [] });
+
+    updatedVariations = addMissingColumnsToVariations({
+      materials: {},
+      selectedColumns: { properties: ['temperature', 'duration'], metadata: ['notes', 'analyses'] },
+      variations: updatedVariations,
+      durationValue: 42,
+      durationUnit: 'Second(s)',
+      temperatureValue: 42,
+      temperatureUnit: '°C',
+    });
+
+    expect(updatedVariations[0].properties.duration.value).toBe(42);
+    expect(updatedVariations[0].properties.temperature.value).toBe(42);
+    expect(updatedVariations[0].metadata.notes).toBe('');
+    expect(Array.isArray(updatedVariations[0].metadata.analyses));
+    expect(updatedVariations[0].metadata.analyses.length === 0);
+  });
+  it('removes obsolete materials from variations', async () => {
+    const reaction = await setUpReaction();
+    const productIDs = reaction.products.map((product) => product.id);
+    reaction.variations.forEach((variation) => {
+      expect(Object.keys(variation.products)).toEqual(productIDs);
+    });
+
+    reaction.products.pop();
+    const updatedProductIDs = reaction.products.map((product) => product.id);
+    const materialIDs = getReactionMaterialsIDs(getReactionMaterials(reaction));
+    const updatedVariations = removeObsoleteColumnsFromVariations(reaction.variations, materialIDs);
+    updatedVariations
+      .forEach((variation) => {
+        expect(Object.keys(variation.products)).toEqual(updatedProductIDs);
+      });
+  });
+  it('adds missing column definitions', async () => {
+    const columnDefinitions = [
+      {
+        groupId: 'metadata',
+        children: []
+      },
+      {
+        groupId: 'properties',
+        children: []
+      },
+    ];
+
+    const columns = { properties: ['temperature', 'duration'], metadata: ['notes', 'analyses'] };
+    const updatedColumnDefinitions = addMissingColumnDefinitions(columnDefinitions, columns, {}, false);
+
+    const metadataChildren = updatedColumnDefinitions.find((entry) => entry.groupId === 'metadata').children;
+    expect(metadataChildren.some((child) => child.field === 'metadata.analyses'));
+    expect(metadataChildren.some((child) => child.field === 'metadata.notes'));
+
+    const propertiesChildren = updatedColumnDefinitions.find((entry) => entry.groupId === 'properties').children;
+    expect(propertiesChildren.some((child) => child.field === 'properties.temperature'));
+    expect(propertiesChildren.some((child) => child.field === 'properties.duration'));
+  });
+  it('removes obsolete materials from column definitions', async () => {
+    const reaction = await setUpReaction();
+    const reactionMaterials = getReactionMaterials(reaction);
+    const columnDefinitions = Object.entries(reactionMaterials).map(([materialType, materials]) => ({
+      groupId: materialType,
+      children: materials.map((material) => getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, false))
+    }));
+
+    const startingMaterialIDs = reactionMaterials.startingMaterials.map((material) => material.id);
+    expect(getColumnDefinitionsMaterialIDs(columnDefinitions, 'startingMaterials')).toEqual(startingMaterialIDs);
+
+    reactionMaterials.startingMaterials.pop();
+    const updatedStartingMaterialIDs = reactionMaterials.startingMaterials.map((material) => material.id);
+    const updatedColumnDefinitions = removeObsoleteColumnDefinitions(
+      columnDefinitions,
+      getReactionMaterialsIDs(reactionMaterials)
+    );
+    expect(getColumnDefinitionsMaterialIDs(
+      updatedColumnDefinitions,
+      'startingMaterials'
+    )).toEqual(updatedStartingMaterialIDs);
+  });
   it('copies a row in the variations table', async () => {
     const reaction = await setUpReaction();
     const row = reaction.variations[0];
-    row.analyses = [42];
-    row.notes = 'foo bar baz';
+    row.metadata.analyses = [42];
+    row.metadata.notes = 'foo bar baz';
     const copiedRow = copyVariationsRow(row, reaction.variations);
     expect(copiedRow.id).toBeGreaterThan(row.id);
-    expect(copiedRow.analyses).toEqual([]);
-    expect(copiedRow.notes).toEqual('');
+    expect(copiedRow.metadata.analyses).toEqual([]);
+    expect(copiedRow.metadata.notes).toEqual('');
   });
   it('updates a row in the variations table', async () => {
     const reaction = await setUpReaction();
@@ -74,7 +184,7 @@ describe('ReactionVariationsUtils', () => {
     const field = `startingMaterials.${reactionMaterials.startingMaterials[0].id}`;
     const columnDefinitions = Object.entries(reactionMaterials).map(([materialType, materials]) => ({
       groupId: materialType,
-      children: materials.map((material) => getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, null, false))
+      children: materials.map((material) => getMaterialColumnGroupChild(material, materialType, false))
     }));
     expect(getColumnGroupChild(columnDefinitions, 'startingMaterials', field).cellDataType).toBe('material');
     const updatedColumnDefinitions = updateColumnDefinitions(
@@ -85,4 +195,18 @@ describe('ReactionVariationsUtils', () => {
     );
     expect(getColumnGroupChild(updatedColumnDefinitions, 'startingMaterials', field).cellDataType).toBe('equivalent');
   });
+  it('gets column names from variations table', async () => {
+    const reaction = await setUpReaction();
+    const reactionMaterialsIDs = getReactionMaterialsIDs(getReactionMaterials(reaction));
+    const variationsColumns = getVariationsColumns(reaction.variations);
+
+    expect(variationsColumns.startingMaterials).toEqual(reactionMaterialsIDs.startingMaterials);
+    expect(variationsColumns.properties).toEqual(expect.arrayContaining(['duration', 'temperature']));
+    expect(variationsColumns.metadata).toEqual(expect.arrayContaining(['notes', 'analyses']));
+
+    const emptyVariationsColumns = getVariationsColumns([]);
+    expect(emptyVariationsColumns.startingMaterials).toEqual([]);
+    expect(emptyVariationsColumns.properties).toEqual([]);
+    expect(emptyVariationsColumns.metadata).toEqual([]);
+  });
 });