Category:Custom Fields

Please note that this page is currently under construction. There is more information to come.

This category contains articles related to Custom Fields. A Custom Field is the basic unit of data storage that you attach to an object such as a contact, a role, an activity type or company.

Overview

Many areas in SmartSimple are comprised mainly of custom fields--such as the Universal Tracking Application--so understanding their proper setup and use is vital in order to create an easy-to-use instance that addresses your organization's needs. There are over 50 field types that you can use to capture and store data; these can be grouped on tabs, or displayed in multiple columns to avoid cluttering the page. The maximum number of custom fields that can be displayed on a single page is 400 total. New fields can be created at any time, without affecting current data.

Feature Articles

If you're not sure where to start, below are a few good articles to get your feet wet:

Common Field Options

Custom Fields share many of the same setup options, so we've listed them here. Please see below:

Field Options

Option	Description	Format
Custom Field ID	The unique ID number associated with the custom field.	Not Applicable
Field Type	The list of available Field Types.	@fieldtype@
Field Name	The name of the field, used internally to reference the user's input;	@fieldname@
Caption	The leading question or prologue before the field.	@caption@
Display Order	The order (relative to other fields) in which this field is displayed.	@displayorder@
Description	Definition and general description of the custom field. Will not be displayed.	@description@

Types of Custom Fields

There are many types of custom fields, each designed for a specific purpose. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with them to gain a better understanding of what they do. We've compiled a list of every type; feel free to click through and learn how they work.
Note: the more complex field types will not display in the list when creating a new custom field, unless Advanced Options is first toggled on in the upper right of the field setup screen.

Field Name	Field Type	Description
Lookup - Autocomplete Options	Common Input	Displays a set of values in an Ajax lookup box.
Custom Field Type: Text Box - Date	Common Input	Enables a calendar for date selection.
Custom Field Type: Text Box - Date and Time	Common Input	Enables calendar and clock, for date and time selection.
Custom Field Type: Text Box - Email	Common Input	Text box for an email address. Automatic validation.
Custom Field Type: Text Box - Number	Common Input	Text box that includes formatting options for number display.
Custom Field Type: Text Box - Phone Number	Common Input	Input a phone number, with options for automatic formatting.
Custom Field Type: Select Many – Check Boxes	Common Input	Creates a set of check-boxes, from which your users can select more than one value.
Custom Field Type: Select One - Dropdown List	Common Input	Populate a drop-down list with your chosen options. Recommended for longer lists.
Custom Field Type: Select One - Radio Buttons	Common Input	Configure a different type of selection list. Good for short lists of options.
Custom Field Type: Text Box - Text Multiple Lines	Common Input	Displays multiple lines of text.
Custom Field Type: Text Box– Text Single Line	Common Input	Displays a single line of text.
Custom Field Type: Upload - Image	Common Input	Displays an uploaded image.
Custom Field Type: Upload - Multiple Files Storage	Common Input	Stores multiple files in a single field.
Custom Field Type: Upload - Single File Storage	Common Input	Stores a single file to a field.
Custom Field Type: Display - Instructions	Display Control	Creates a static text box, in which to display instructions to users.
Custom_Field_Type:_Display_-_Text	Display Control	A read-only version of another field.
Custom_Field_Type:_Display_-_Text_and_Variables	Display Control	A read-only field that can display text, HTML, variables, and expressions.
Custom Field Type: Layout - Tabbed Section	Display Control	Create a section with tabs.
Custom Field Type: Layout - Title Bar	Display Control	Displays a title bar, to help arrange your data.
Custom_Field_Type:_Computed_-_Auto_Number	Computed Input	Generate unique sequential numbers, to be stored in the field.
Custom Field Type: Computed - Calculated Date	Computed Input	Executes an expression to calculate a date and store the result.
Custom Field Type: Computed - Calculated Number	Computed Input	Executes an expression to calculate a number and store the result.
Custom Field Type: Computed - Calculated Value	Computed Input	Executes an expression to calculate a value and store the result.
_Computed_-_Hidden_Value	Computed Input	Store a hidden value, for use in other fields or reports.
Computed - Variable Value	Computed Input
Computed - Variable Number	Computed Input
Computed - Variable Date	Computed Input
Custom Field Type: Special - Advanced Data Table	Special Input	Create a larger worksheet or table, that opens in its own window. Formatted using XML by default.
Custom Field Type: Special - Basic Data Table	Special Input	Create a basic table in-line on the page.
Select One - Dynamic Dropdown List	Special Input	Create sets of fields that are dependent on a value selected from the Dynamic Dropdown List.
Select One - Dynamic Radio Buttons	Special Input	Create sets of fields that are dependent on a value selected from the Dynamic Radio Buttons.
Custom Field Type: Special – Browser Script	Special Control	Create a JavaScript function, to be run on the page where it is located.
Custom Field Type: Special - Geo Mapping	Special Input	Highlight geographic locations on a map.
Custom Field Type: Special – Hand Drawing	Special Input	Capture an image or pattern drawn using a mouse in the input area.
Custom Field Type: Special – MS Word Merge	Special Control	Create an MS Word document, using SmartSimple data.
Custom Field Type: Special - Question Set Builder	Special Input	Allows users to create their own customized field sets without being an administrator.
Custom Field Type: Special - Rich Text	Special Input	A text box that uses an HTML Editor for additional formatting.
Custom Field Type: Special - Web Page View	Special Control	Allows you to create a virtual document using SmartSimple data. The document can also be converted to PDF and downloaded, if so configured.
Custom Field Type: Special - Address Lookup	Classic	Lookup addresses associated with Level 2 Contacts.
Custom Field Type: Special – Auto Save	Classic	Can only be used to auto-save a Level 1 record, using a specified interval.
Custom Field Type: Special – Barcode	Classic	Converts another field's value to a barcode image.
Custom Field Type: Special – ePad Signature	Classic	Captures and stores a written signature. (used in conjunction with a signature pad)
Display - External Organization Details	Classic	Displays the organization details from an associated Lookup - External Organization field.
Custom Field Type: Lookup – External Organization	Classic	Look up an external organization and store the name.
Custom Field Type: Lookup – External People	Classic	Lookup and store the names of external people.
Custom Field Type: Lookup – ICD Code	Classic	Displays a list of the standard ICD Codes (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems).
Custom Field Type: Select One - Internal Organization Dropdown List	Classic	Look up internal entities and store the name.
Custom Field Type: Select One - Internal People Dropdown List	Classic	Look up an internal person and store a single name. Data is read-only.
Select One - Ledger Code Dropdown List	Classic	Links the field to the set of account codes stored in Global Settings > System Configuration > Ledger Codes.
Custom Field Type: Lookup – NAIC Codes	Classic	Display a list of NAIC codes ((North American Industry Classification System).
Custom Field Type: Lookup - Organization and People	Classic	Look up both internal and external organization names and people. Data is read-only.
Custom Field Type: Special - Password Protected Text	Classic	Create a password-protected field.