Understanding Custom Fields
Custom fields allow you to capture specific, tailored information about your contacts beyond the standard fields provided by Durable. This helps you maintain detailed records, segment your audience more effectively, and personalize your interactions.
These custom fields appear on individual contact profiles within your Durable account. Additionally, you can integrate these fields into your website's contact forms to gather specific details directly from new leads. Details on integrating custom fields with your website forms will be covered in a separate article.
Accessing the Custom Fields Manager
To manage your custom fields:
Navigate to the Customers section in your Durable dashboard.
Locate and click the Settings icon next to the search bar at the top of the Customers list.
The Custom Fields modal will appear, displaying any existing custom fields.
Adding a New Custom Field
From the Custom Fields modal, you can add new fields:
Click the + Add field button.
In the Add field modal, enter a descriptive label for your new field (e.g., 'Project Name', 'Preferred Service').
Select the appropriate Type for your field from the dropdown menu:
One Line Text: For short, single-line text inputs (e.g., 'Referral Source').
Multiple Lines Text: For longer text inputs (e.g., 'Customer Notes').
Dropdown: For a single selection from a predefined list.
Add multiple options by typing each option label and clicking + Add option (e.g., 'Option A', 'Option B').
Reorder options using the drag handle icon.
Delete options using the trash can icon.
Checkboxes: For multiple selections from a predefined list.
Add multiple options by typing each option label and clicking + Add option (e.g., 'Service 1', 'Service 2').
Reorder options using the drag handle icon.
Delete options using the trash can icon.
Radio Buttons: For a single selection from a predefined list, displayed as radio buttons.
Add multiple options by typing each option label and clicking + Add option (e.g., 'Location A', 'Location B').
Reorder options using the drag handle icon.
Delete options using the trash can icon.
Date: For selecting a specific date (e.g., 'Appointment Date', 'Follow-up Date').
Click Save to add the new custom field to your list.
Editing Custom Fields
To modify an existing custom field:
In the Custom Fields modal, locate the field you wish to edit.
Click the Edit (pencil) icon next to the field name.
Modify the Label or Type as needed.
For Dropdown, Checkboxes, or Radio Buttons, you can also add, reorder, or delete options.
Click Save to apply your changes or the back arrow to discard them.
Deleting Custom Fields
If a custom field is no longer needed:
In the Custom Fields modal, locate the field you wish to delete.
Click the Delete (trash can) icon next to the field name.
A confirmation dialog titled 'Delete field?' will appear. Review the message: 'This field will be removed from forms and contact details. Existing data will be preserved.'
Click Delete to confirm or Cancel to keep the field.
Using Custom Fields in Contact Profiles
Once custom fields are created, they become available on your contact profiles:
From the Customers list, click on any contact to open their profile details.
Scroll down in the contact's detail panel to view the custom fields.
Enter or select values for each custom field:
Text fields (One line, Multiple lines) allow direct text input.
Dropdown fields present a list for single selection.
Checkboxes allow multiple selections.
Radio buttons allow a single selection from a group.
Date fields display a calendar for date selection.
Click Save at the bottom of the contact's detail panel to save the entered custom field data.
By effectively using custom fields, you can tailor your contact management to perfectly fit your business needs, ensuring you capture all the essential information for every customer interaction.