Pep included by name in two columns today (4)
I believe the answer is:
zing
'pep' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'name in two columns today' is the wordplay.
'name' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation e.g. on forms).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'two columns today' becomes 'zig' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'n' placed into 'zig' is 'ZING'.
'included by' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for zing that I've seen before include "Energy - liveliness" , "Get-up-and-go" , "Go" , "Energy - high-pitched buzz" , "Thrill" .)