Custom fields help you create personalized records for a more productive Insightly experience. Each custom field will have unique field details, but they aren't vastly different from one another.
Common elements include:
- Field Label - The name that will appear on the page.
- Field Name - The database name used in the API and other functions.
- Default Value - The value that you would like to appear automatically.
- Description - Appears on the settings page. Used to clarify the purpose of the field.
- Help Text - Text that appears on the field in a record when users hover over it.
- Hidden - Checkbox to hide the field instead of deleting existing values.
- Read-only - Makes the field read-only to users. They will be unable to edit it.
Most custom field creation pages will resemble the image above and have options that are easy to understand.
- Checkbox
- Date
- Date/time
- Website
- Telephone number
- Email address
Here are some other fields you might not be so familiar with:
Auto Number
A system-generated sequence number. The number is automatically incremented for each new record.
- Display Format - How you would like the number to be formatted. For example, you can lead with zeros or letters. You might use IN-000 to track invoices or SHIP-00000 for shipments.
- Starting Number - The number that starts your sequence.
- Auto-generate values for existing records - Check this box to have Insightly go back and generate values for your existing records. If you check this and change your mind, you will have to delete this field to undo it.
Lookup Relationship
A lookup field is a one-way link to another object. Users can search and select a record from the field. In addition to creating your own link field, Lookup Relationship also lets you link to events and tasks, which you can't do with Insightly default linking.
- Related To - Choose the object that you want users to connect to. For example, if the field is "Manager," you would link to the Contact object. If the field is "Networking Event," you would link to the Event object.
To add this field, you will need to create the field and add it to the details tab of an object. Then, you will add the field to the related tab of the object it is being linked to.
Number
Allows users to enter any number. Leading zeros are removed.
- Length - The maximum number of digits a number can have, up to 12.
- Decimal Places - The number of digits to the right of the decimal place.
Percent
Allows users to enter a number and adds a percentage.
- Length - The maximum number of digits a number can have, up to 12.
- Decimal Places - The number of digits to the right of the decimal place.
Dropdown
Displays a list for users to select one value from.
- Values - The items that will populate your dropdown. Separate the items by using the Enter or Return key.
Multi-Select Dropdown
A list for users to select one or more values from.
- Values - The text that will populate your dropdown. Separate the fields by creating a new line.
- # of Visible Lines - The number of lines you want users to see before scrolling. For example, your dropdown might contain 20 fields but will display 3 at a time.
Text
Allows users to enter any combination of letters and numbers up to 255 characters.
Multi-Line Text
Allows users to enter multiple lines of text up to 4,000 characters.