Find below a description of all the values that can be set for custom fields.
Main information fields
Field | Description |
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Primary key | Check box that lets you indicate whether the field is part of the primary key, that is if the value entered in this field is part of the contact unique identifier. Fields that are part of the primary key show the related ![]() ![]() For example, if you indicate that the EMail field is part of the primary key, each contact in the project will need to have a unique and distinct email address. Consequently, if two contacts having the same email address are imported into the project, only one of the two will be accepted, thus eliminating duplicates. |
Code | Internal field name of 25 characters maximum. The field name can include letters (a-z), numbers (0-9) and/or underscores (_), BUT NOT BLANK SPACES. The code MUST start with a letter and end with a letter or number. This code is only used within the application to identify the field and is never displayed in publications intended for contacts. |
Label | Field name as it will display in the contact profile and in all publications sent to contacts. If more than one language is available in the project, it is recommended to provide a label for each language, otherwise the field label will be shown in the application default language. |
Description | Description providing additional information about the field. The description is only used within the application. |
Format | Format used to define the type of value that can be entered in the field. Any data that does not correspond to the specified format can cause an error and consequently prevent a contact from being imported. |
Required | Check box used to indicate that the field is required when adding a new contact. When required, the field shows the related icon , that is ![]() A required field adds a rule that prevents a contact to be added to the database if this value is not provided. However, if a default value is defined for the required field, the system will be able to import the contact as a default value will automatically be applied if one is not provided. But the contact will not be added if the field is required but no default value is defined. |
Length | Length of the field when the format of the field is Text - Fixed length. |
Default | Default value to assign to a REQUIRED field when no value was provided, for example, when a contact has not responded to a mandatory question (usually marked with an asterisk ![]() When a default value is defined for a required field, a contact can still be added if he has not provided a value. |
Field format fields
Field Format | Options | Description |
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Text | Fixed length | The most common format used for fields where the value can include letters AND numbers.When this format is selected, you must also define the maximum length under the Length field. |
Email address | Format used only to enter an email address. To be valid, the email address must conform to the standard syntax, such as UserName@domain.com. Commonly used as the primary key for messages to be sent via ![]() | |
Unlimited | Format used to add comment areas. | |
Number | Integer (1234) | Format that restrains the value to integer numbers, that is numbers with no sign or symbol such as commas, semi-colons, dollar signs, etc. |
Decimal (12.34) | Format intended to enter numbers with 4 decimals maximum. Only the decimal point is accepted as a separator; the comma is not valid for this use in the application. | |
Date and time | | Format used to enter a date and a time, under the following format: YYYYMMDD HH:MM:SS (2009.01.25 12:01:23 = January 25, 2009 at 1 minute and 23 seconds past noon). Entering a time is not required; when the time is not specified, the value 00:00:00 is automatically added to the date. This format is useful to hold a Date of birth for example, which can be used to send birthday cards to your contacts. |
True/False | | Format used for fields where the answer is True or False. When no answer is provided, the False value is applied by default. This type of field can be useful to quickly create groups. For example, you might want to create a group of all contacts that have replied Yes to an invitation. |
Input format fields
Field | Description | ||||||||||
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Type Options Choices | The type of input that is valid in the field, as well as the options or choices available, define the way the values will display in field, whether as a text box, a drop-down list, radio buttons or check boxes.
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