My rule is that attributes are for getting information that ends up on labels. And the crew would rather have multiple codes vs on codes with multiple attributes.
We use on code for a pole with no identifying owner tag and different codes for electric and telephone poles.
We have experimented with placing some cells based upon the alpha code, and it can work - to a point.
You specify no cell or symbol in the named symbology but in the custom codes use ac=$code which if your cell names match the alpha code, it will plot the cell.
I am working from memory - so confirm the custom code syntax.