Best Practices - When to Use Custom Fields, User Fields, and Categories
This article covers the purpose of Custom Fields, User Fields, and Categories, and when you should use each
Custom Fields
Custom field data is useful because it becomes available for filtering and searching as soon as it is added to the system.
Use custom fields when you have more than one possible answer for the same field type. Examples of custom fields are:
- Source
-
Referred by
Note:
- Referred by is a type of relationship.
- Relationships will also appear within the Hierarchy tab of the household or contact that they are added to.
-
Client Anniversary
- Client Anniversary is an Important Date.
- While Important Dates are a type of custom field, they will appear in the Important Dates card on the Detail tab of the household or contact.
User Fields
User fields are useful when you want to store information about your contacts that will not be needed for filtering or searching.
Some examples of user fields are:
- Favorite Sports Team
- Favorite Beverage
- Pets Name
Categories
Use categories when you want to search and group contacts based on a keyword or interest.
Some examples of categories are:
- Golf
- Hunting
- Estate Planning
- Retirement Planning
Related Articles
Custom Fields
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