# Custom fields

Custom fields are a powerful feature in OpenSPP that allow administrators to add new data fields to registrant profiles without requiring developer intervention. They can be used to capture additional information that is specific to a program's needs, such as a secondary contact number, a disability status, or any other piece of data not included in the standard OpenSPP setup.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to create a simple custom field using the **Custom Fields UI**. We will create a field to store a "Secondary Phone Number" for an individual.

```{note}
The Custom Fields UI is designed for creating straightforward, user-defined fields for direct data entry. For fields that require automatic calculation or complex logic, see the {doc}`indicator_fields` guide.
```

## Prerequisites

To create and manage custom fields, you need:
- A user account with the **System Admin** role. For more details, see the {doc}`user_access` guide.
- The **OpenSPP Custom Fields** ({doc}`spp_custom_field </reference/modules/spp_custom_field>`) and **OpenSPP Custom Fields UI** ({doc}`spp_custom_fields_ui </reference/modules/spp_custom_fields_ui>`) modules must be installed and activated in your OpenSPP instance. For more details, see the {doc}`../../getting_started/module_installation` guide.

## Objective

After completing this tutorial, you will understand how to create, configure, and verify a custom field in OpenSPP.

## Process

The process involves navigating to the Custom Fields menu, defining the properties of the new field, and verifying its presence on the individual records.

### Navigate to Custom Fields

First, access the Custom Fields management interface.
1.  Click on the menu icon in the top-left corner and select **Registry**.
2.  In **Registry**, click the **Configuration** menu.
3.  Click on the **Custom Fields** sub-menu.

![Step01 configuration custom fields](custom_fields/step01_configuration_custom_fields.jpg)

### Create a new field

On the **Custom Fields** page, you will see a list of existing custom fields.
1.  Click the **New** button to start creating a new custom field.

![Step02 click new custom fields list view](custom_fields/step02_click_new_custom_fields_list_view.jpg)

The **Custom Fields** form view will appear.

![Step02a custom fields form view](custom_fields/step02a_custom_fields_form_view.jpg)

### Configure basic properties

Now, define the basic characteristics of your new custom field. For this example, we are adding a secondary phone number field for individuals.

- **Field Draft Name**: Enter a technical name for the field, such as `secondary_phone`. This name should be unique and follow standard naming conventions (lowercase with underscores).
- **Field Label**: Provide a user-friendly label, like `Secondary Phone Number`. This is what users will see on the interface.
- **Field Type**: Select `Char`, as a phone number is best stored as a text string.
- **Target Type**: Choose `Individual`, because the field will be added to each individual's record.
- **Field Category**: Select `Custom`. This designates the field as a standard data entry field.
- **Field Help**: Specify a text that will appear as a tooltip or description for the field, for example, "Enter an alternative phone number for the individual."

![Step03 set type custom](custom_fields/step03_set_type_custom.jpg)

### Configure properties (Optional)

Since this is a standard custom field, you do not need to provide computation logic. However, you can configure its behavior in the **Properties** tab.

- **Required**: Check this box if you want to make this field mandatory for all records.
- **Read-only**: Check this box to prevent users from editing the field's value through the user interface.
- **Index**: Check this box to create a database index on this field. This can improve performance for filtering and searching on large datasets. This option should typically be managed by a developer or system administrator.
- **Copied**: Determines if the value of this field is copied when a record is duplicated.

For our example, we will leave these options unchecked.

![Step04 specify advanced props](custom_fields/step04_specify_advanced_props.jpg)

### Save and open an individual record

Once all properties are configured, save the new field.

1.  Click the **Save** button. OpenSPP will create the new field in the database.
2.  Navigate to the **Registry** and click the **Individuals** menu.

![Step05 open individual list view](custom_fields/step05_open_individual_list_view.jpg)

### Verify the custom field

1. To verify that the field was created, open any record in the **Individuals** list view.

![Step06 select individual](custom_fields/step06_select_individual.jpg)

2. A new tab named **Additional Details** will appear on the form. Click on it.

3. You should see your new "Secondary Phone Number" field, ready for data entry.

![Step06a check additional field tab](custom_fields/step06a_check_additional_field_tab.jpg)