Adding user-defined fields

Read this article to learn how to add user-defined fields in Alloy Navigator Express. You can add multiple user-defined fields (UDFs) for each object class. It is important to understand that adding a UDF changes the database structure; therefore, we recommend that no users access Alloy Navigator Express while you're creating the definitions of user-defined fields.

To add a user-defined field:

1. In the Settings App, go to Customization > General > Fields > [Object Class].

2. Click New on the Module Toolbar. The New User Defined Field window appears.

3. In the Field Name field, enter a physical name of the field, which must be unique within the object. The name of the actual field being added to the database table will be automatically prefixed with UDF_.

   NOTE: The Origin field shows the name of the table in the SQL database the field will be added to.

4. Select the type of the field (for the details about possible UDF types, see Types of user-defined fields).

5. In the Field Label field, type the field label to be displayed in the interface. If you want to make the field either mandatory or read-only, select the corresponding check box(es) under Options.

6. If you want to make the field invisible for the users, select the Hidden check box. In this case, only Alloy Navigator Express administrators can access this field. For details, see Hiding user-defined fields.

7. For a Float field, optional:

   In the Decimal Places field, specify a number of decimal places which will be used as a format for input and display of values. By default, a Float field has 2 decimal places.

8. For a String, Encrypted or Lookup field, optional:

   In the Size field, enter a size of the field in characters.

9. For a Lookup or Multi-Select field:

   Under Lookup Values, create a list of items for the drop-down:

   1. Click Add. The Add Value window opens.

   2. Type in a value. You can enter values longer than specified by the field size, but only the specified number of characters will be displayed and stored.

   3. Click OK.

      Repeat these steps to add as many list items as needed. If you want to rearrange the values on the list, use Move Up and Move Down buttons.

10. For a Reference field:

    Under Reference, select the list of objects that will be available for users to choose a reference object from. If you select Person, the UDF will offer the list of active Persons; if you select Technician, the field will offer the list of active Persons with the Technician field set to Yes.

11. Click OK.

12. Click Save on the Standard toolbar.

NOTE: For your changes to take immediate effect, restart the Web App.

Related Information:

Types of user-defined fields

Adding Ticket fields

Arranging user-defined fields

Hiding user-defined fields