How do you specify values for the variables in the transaction and item lines marked UTM:T and UTM:I?

[Trentide]

After months of reading the same info over and over, trying to figure it out, I've finally come to the realization, that I need help on this one.

 

I don't understand how to fill out the variables for ecommerce tracking in Google Analytics.

 

Here are the instructions from Google:

 

Next, somewhere in the receipt below the tracking code, the following lines need to be written by your engine. Everything in brackets should be replaced by actual values, as described in the Parameter Reference, below.

 

<form style="display:none;" name="utmform">

<textarea id="utmtrans">UTM:T|[order-id]|[affiliation]|

[total]|[tax]| [shipping]|[city]|[state]|[country] UTM:I|[order-id]|[sku/code]|[productname]|[category]|[price]|

[quantity] </textarea>

</form>

 

I don't understand what they mean by "actual values". I thought that "shipping", "city", "total", etc. were variables. This is the info I want to track from my customers!! How am I supposed to put a total amount in there if the transaction hasn't occurred yet? And let's say I put in an amount, is it only going to track totals with that amount? Oh heck!!

 

As you can see, I'm totally confused on this! Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Thanks so much,

Jason