Sims 4 More Columns: A Complete Guide to Expanding Your Sims’ Horizons

If you’re a The Sims 4 fan, you know how deep and customizable the game is—but even with endless customization options, many players crave more rows and columns for their Sims’ diaries, moods, preferences, and daily activities. While the base game offers a robust foundation, expanding those Sims columns isn’t just about looks—it’s about unlocking deeper storytelling and more immersive gameplay. In this article, we explore the concept of Sims 4 more columns, powerful community-created modifications and in-game features that enhance Sims’ behavior, expressions, and real-impression life.


Understanding the Context

Why Expand Your Sims Columns?

Columns in The Sims 4—such as Mood, Happiness, Dialogue Type, Hobbies, and more—dictate how your Sims feel, react, and interact. But when these columns are limited, your Sims can feel static, reducing emotional authenticity and narrative depth. Adding more columns gives players more tools to express nuanced emotions and unique personalities, transforming flat characters into vibrant, believable individuals.


What Are “More Columns” in Sims 4?

Key Insights

In the world of Sims 4, “more columns” refer to both official mods and unofficial assets that enhance or entirely expand the in-game Sims attributes. While vanilla Sims 4 comes with approximately 15 core columns, mods and creators now offer dozens of additional ones—covering moods like Dreamily, So Help Me God, plus expression ranges like Vivid or Emotion Grid expansions.

Here’s what these expanded columns typically include:

  • Advanced Moods: Go beyond basic “Happy” and “Sad” to moods like Exhausted, Radiant, Bittersweet, or Voraciously Hungry.
  • Detailed Preferences: Expand personality with more refined likes/dislikes beyond just “Drama” or “Art.”
  • Expanded Hobbies: Unlock new activity categories, such as Crafting Evolution, Tech Hacking, Secret Roommate Intrigues, and Dreamily Inspiration.
  • Behavioral Depth: Columns like Autonomy, Impulsiveness, and Curiosity add psychological layers that affect choices and reactions.
  • Social Columns: Try Romance Ledger, Reputation Tracker, and Social Class Indicators for richer interpersonal storylines.

How to Add More Columns to Your Sims

Final Thoughts

Expanding your Sims’ personalities isn’t limited to mods alone. Here are the main methods:

1. Official Mods & Patches

Rarely, EA releases minor updates introducing subtle new columns, but most enhancements come via third-party mods.

2. Third-Party Mods & Resource Packs

Popular mods like Thumbs Up, Expression Bundle, Add-On Moods, and Sims Reborn Lite dramatically expand column lists with dozens of new attributes. These mods work seamlessly with the Vanilla Sims base.

How to install:

  • Download from trusted sites like Impulse Discover or Sims Forums.
  • Use mod managers like SimEditor GT or SimSeer for easy installation and upgrades.

3. Custom Sims Creator Colors & Columns

Using sim creation tools such as SimFam Deluxe or Creator-Ware, players can unlock or customize expanded columns during character creation or editing.


Benefits of Upgrading Your Sims’ Columns

  • Deeper Storytelling: With more nuanced moods and preferences, Sims behave in surprising, lifelike ways—perfect for ePSM null (non-player story mode) or narrative-driven gameplay.
  • Increased Immersion: Realistic emotional ranges let players connect more deeply with their Sims.
  • Customization Simplicity: Advanced columns let you tailor complex personalities without coding or jumping through grounds.
  • Long-Term Replay Value: Expanded columns sustain engagement with fresh reactions and behaviors every playthrough.

Tips for Choosing the Right Columns