Custom Fields

Twenty custom fields may be defined for membership records, and twenty more may be defined for group records. Custom fields can be used to store any kind of data you wish (up to maximum of 40 characters per field). You can specify the label that will appear for the field, and several things about the way the field will behave.

•	Standard - A standard field that you can type data into. Use this type when the entry doesn't have to be controlled at all.

•	List - A dropdown list filled with the values you specify. A selection must be made from the values in the list, or the field must be left blank. Use this type when you want to require a specific entry. One list item can be selected as the default value to be used automatically on new records.

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List (Editable) - Identical to the List type, except the user can type an entry that is not one of the choices in the list. Typing a new entry doesn't change the available list values. (Think of it as an override entry.) Use this format when you want the list to provide basic choices, but need to allow for unforeseen entries. One list item can be selected as the default value to be used automatically on new records.

Note: (MemberTies Professional Only) When a field is used on a user report or view, you are allowed to set your own label for the field. In other words, a field might display as "Favorite Team" on the Custom tab of a membership record, but display as "Team" on your user-defined view to save space. You're allowed to do this because information about fields for views and user reports is stored apart from normal field information. This means that changing a custom field label will not affect the label as it appears on user reports and views -- you will have to manually edit the report or view and make the same change if you want it to match.

You can change a field type at any time without affecting the data stored in the field on a membership or group record.

4	Choose the appropriate option. If you are changing an entry, the following fields are available:

Field Label - indicates the name that will appear for the label on the screen. This can also be changed on the membership or group custom fields tab by double-clicking the label name.

Field Type - indicates the way the field will behave. If you select either of the "List" types, the field will appear as a dropdown list instead of a standard text field.

- Required: select this option to require a value in the field before saving. Note that the value must satisfy the character limit and data rules if applicable.

- Character Limit: enter a number between 1 and 40 indicating the number of characters allowed.

5	If you choose to Delete an entry, you are actually resetting the field to it's default values. That means the name will revert to something like, "Custom 01" and it will function as a standard field.

If you specified a field type of List or List (Editable), you can assign values to the field. The assigned values will appear in the dropdown as choices for the field.

1	If you are not already on the Maintain Custom Fields window, choose Tools > Dropdown Lists > Custom Fields.

5	Choose the appropriate option. If you are adding or changing an entry, the following fields are available:

Default - Select this option if you want this entry to be the default selection on new records. Setting a default is optional.

If all you need to do is change the name of the field, you can do so from any membership or group record (as appropriate) by clicking the field name and saving a new label.