Custom Fields

Custom fields are user-defined data fields that you can add to your contact records. They appear in contact forms, sending dialogs, and reports based on your visibility preferences. Each field has a unique key, a data type, and configurable visibility settings that control where the field appears in the platform.

You configure custom fields in Settings > Custom Fields. Once created, they become available throughout the platform wherever you work with contact data.

demeterrr supports five field types to accommodate different kinds of data.

Text fields capture single-line text input. Use them for short text values like membership numbers, referral codes, or job titles. Text fields support up to 255 characters of input.

Number fields accept numeric input only. They're ideal for tracking quantities, ages, account balances, or any other numeric data. The platform validates that only numbers are entered.

Date fields provide a date picker interface for capturing dates. Use them to track birthdays, membership expiration dates, last visit dates, or any other date-based information. Dates are stored in ISO format and displayed according to your locale settings.

Select fields display as dropdowns with predefined options that you configure. They're perfect for categorical data like service tier, location preference, or customer type. When creating a select field, you define the available options that users can choose from.

Checkbox fields are boolean toggles for yes/no or true/false values. Use them to track binary preferences or statuses like VIP status, newsletter opt-in, or parking requirement.

To create a custom field:

1. Navigate to Settings > Custom Fields
2. Click "Add Custom Field"
3. Enter a field name (1-100 characters) that will be displayed to users
4. Choose a field type from the dropdown
5. Enter a field key in snake_case format (e.g., membership_number, service_tier)
6. If creating a select field, define the available options
7. Configure visibility settings (see next section)
8. Click "Create Field"

The field key is permanent once created and cannot be changed. Choose a clear, descriptive key that follows snake_case naming conventions. Field keys must be unique within your organization.

Note that field types also cannot be changed after creation. If you need to change a field's type, you must create a new field and migrate your data.

Each custom field has four visibility toggles that control where it appears in the platform:

Show in Contact Form (default: enabled) - When enabled, the field appears in contact create and edit dialogs. Disable this if the field should only be populated through imports or API integrations.

Show in Send Form (default: enabled) - When enabled, the field appears in the sending dialog when you configure survey sends. This allows you to filter or segment sends based on the field's value.

Show in Reports (default: disabled) - When enabled, the field's values are included in report exports. Enable this for fields that provide important analytical context.

Show in Responses (default: disabled) - When enabled, the field's value is displayed on response detail pages. Enable this for fields that help you understand the context of a customer's feedback.

You can change visibility settings at any time without affecting existing data.

The order of custom fields determines how they appear in forms and dialogs. To reorder fields:

1. Navigate to Settings > Custom Fields
2. Use the drag handles on the left side of each field row
3. Drag fields up or down to your preferred order
4. The new order is saved automatically

Field order applies consistently across all contexts where custom fields appear.

Custom fields integrate throughout the platform based on your visibility settings.

When creating or editing a contact, custom fields appear in the form if "Show in Contact Form" is enabled. The appropriate input type renders based on the field type - text boxes for text fields, date pickers for date fields, dropdowns for select fields, and so on.

Field values are stored with the contact record and displayed in the contact detail view.

When configuring a survey send, custom fields with "Show in Send Form" enabled appear in the sending dialog. You can use these fields to segment your audience or add context to individual sends.

Custom fields with "Show in Reports" enabled are included as columns in exported reports. This allows you to analyze feedback patterns across different customer segments or attributes.

Choose field keys carefully. Since they cannot be changed after creation, use clear, descriptive names in snake_case format. Think about how you'll reference these fields in integrations or API calls.

Use select fields for standardized categories. When you have a limited set of possible values, select fields ensure data consistency and make filtering easier.

Be selective with visibility settings. Not every field needs to appear everywhere. Consider the workflow and enable visibility only where the field adds value.

Keep field names user-friendly. While field keys are technical, field names appear in the UI. Use clear, concise names that your team will understand at a glance.

Document your custom fields. As you add fields, maintain internal documentation about what each field represents and how it should be used. This helps maintain consistency as your team grows.