Manage custom fields

Add a custom field

You must first create at least one custom tab to add a custom field. Follow the steps below to create a tab and add a custom field.

Only managers can add custom fields.

Select the People page from the top navigation.
Select the ⚙️ settings icon in the top right corner.
Choose Customize fields from the dropdown.
Select the Add tab button in the left sidebar.
Enter a name for the tab and press return or enter on your keyboard.
Select the New field button.
Enter a name for the custom field.
Use the Type: dropdown to choose between field options. Enter additional details as needed, depending on the field type you select.
Select Save to create the field.

To edit a custom field after you've created it, select the ✏️ edit icon next to its name.

To reorder tabs or fields, drag and drop the handles (represented by three vertical lines) next to their names. You can also move custom fields between tabs by selecting the handles and dragging a field onto a different tab.

Custom field type formats

If you plan to use a CSV file to update custom field answers, ensure the data format is correct to avoid errors or skipped updates.

Warning

If you create a dropdown field, you cannot change it to a checkbox field. You must recreate the options.

Field type	Format
Text	Any text up to 1,000 characters.
Paragraph	Any text up to 16,384 characters.
Date	MM/DD/YYYY Dates in other formats will be ignored.
Yes/No	Yes/No True/False Not case-sensitive
Dropdown	Any existing option for the field must match an existing option exactly. Case-sensitive
Checkboxes	Any combination of existing values, separated by a \| The values must match an existing option exactly. Case-sensitive
Number	Any whole number.
File	Bulk importing file fields is not currently supported.

Edit a custom field

Only managers can edit custom fields.

Select the People page from the top navigation.
Select the ⚙️ settings icon in the top right corner.
Choose Customize fields from the dropdown.
In the left sidebar, select the name of the custom tab where the field lives.
Select the ✏️ edit icon next to the custom field.
Make your desired edits.
Select Save.

Manage custom tab permissions

You can manage who can view the fields in a custom tab, update the answers to a custom field, or view custom field answers in notifications using the options in the Collaborators section of the Customize fields page.

All managers can create or update the custom tabs and fields, including the Collaborators area. However, they will not be able to view the custom field answers if they are not also Collaborators.

Select the X to remove access for an individual or permission level.
Select the Add collaborator dropdown menu to add new collaborators by role or by name.
Check the Share with Check-Ins checkbox to allow the custom fields to be printed on a label.

Important

If someone is not a collaborator, when viewing lists, forms, or notifications that include this field, they will see [hidden content] instead of the field answer.

Update custom field answers

You can update a congregant's custom field answer in their profile by following the steps below. Congregants can also make updates to their own custom field answers by updating their profile in Church Center or by submitting a form that you create.

Select the People page from the top navigation.
Type the person's name in the search box.
Select the person's name to open their profile page.
Select the custom tab title in the left sidebar.
Select the Edit answers button in the upper right corner.
Provide answers to the custom fields.
Select Save.

To update multiple profiles at once, use bulk actions.

To automatically update a field answer based on a product trigger or list, use an automation.Automations

Edit default fields

The Personal built-in tab holds all of the editable default fields. You can customize these fields with your own answers by selecting the ✏️ edit icon on the field.

To edit field options:

Select the ✏️ edit icon to the right of a field.
Select the 🗑️ delete icon to the right of an item to delete it. If the field was already answered for a profile, the answer will also be removed.
Drag and drop the handles (three horizontal lines icon) to reorder the options in the list.
Type in the Add a new option box and select the check mark icon to create a new option.
Select Save after any changes.

Add schools

Keep track of the schools your students attend by adding them as options in the School field.

From the Personal tab, select the ✏️ edit icon to the right of the School field.
Select the + Add a new option button.
Type the school name in the text field.
Select the school's education level using the Type checkboxes. When assigning a school, schools are grouped by the Type selection.
Set the Beginning Grade and Ending Grade fields of the school.
- When you assign a person to the school, only those grades can be selected.
- When you promote grades, if kids who promote out of this school typically move into a specific school, select that school in the Promotes To field. If a student goes to a different school, you'll have to change their school assignment manually.
- Does your organization use a different grade structure than the default setting? An organization administrator can change your account's grade list in Account settings.
(Optional) Reorder the schools. When assigning a school to a person's profile, schools are grouped by the Type selection first, and then they are displayed in the order you created them. To change that order:
1. Select the handles on the left side of the box to manually reorder schools in the list.
2. Select the Sort Alphabetically button to sort by the first letter in the school's title.
3. Select the Save button.

Delete a custom field