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# How to Create a Custom Field

# How to Create a Custom Field

**In this article:**
* Overview
* How to create a custom field
* Field types
* Things to keep in mind
* FAQs
* Who can do this

## Overview
Custom Fields let you store extra information against a person's profile, beyond SuperPath's core details, such as an employee ID, department, contract dates or a signed document. Once you've created a field it becomes available on every person's **Additional Details** tab, and you can choose who's allowed to see it, whether it shows as a column in the People list, and whether it appears on your reports.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/superpath-help-centre/how-to-create-a-custom-field/01-list-with-add-button_ad092d8a.png)

## How to create a custom field
1. Go to **Settings → Custom Fields**.
2. Click **Add Custom Field**.
3. Enter a **Field name** — this is the label people will see on the profile.
4. Check the **API key**. SuperPath auto-generates it from the field name and uses it in API filters and exports. You can adjust it while creating the field, but it can't be changed afterwards.
5. Choose a **Type** (see the field types below). The type is also fixed once the field is created, so pick it carefully.
6. Set the **Access level** to control who can view and edit the field — **Everyone**, **Managers & admins**, or **Admins only**.
7. Toggle **Show on list view** if you'd like the field to appear as a column in the People list.
8. Toggle **Include in reports** if you'd like the field to appear as a column on reports that list people, and in their exports. This toggle isn't shown for **File** fields.
9. If you chose **Dropdown**, add the list of options people can select from. If you chose **File**, set the maximum file size and the allowed file types.
10. Click **Save**.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/superpath-help-centre/how-to-create-a-custom-field/02-add-custom-field-modal_0af44911.png)

## Field types
You can choose from six field types:
* **Text** — free-form text.
* **Number** — numeric values, e.g. contract length.
* **Date** — a single date, e.g. a contract start date.
* **Yes/No** — a simple toggle, e.g. "Is certified".
* **Dropdown** — a defined list of options you specify when creating the field.
* **File** — attach a document to the person's profile, e.g. a signed contract. You set the maximum size and the allowed file types.

## Things to keep in mind
* The **Type** and **API key** are locked once the field is created — only the name, access level, options (for Dropdown) and display settings can be changed later.
* **Dropdown** fields need at least one option, and **File** fields need at least one allowed file type, before they'll save.
* Each field's **API key** must be unique. If the key is already in use, SuperPath will ask you to choose a different one.
* **Include in reports** is off for a new field until you turn it on. See *Managing Custom Fields* for which reports carry the column and who can see it.
* New fields are added to the end of the list. You can change the order later — see **How to Reorder Custom Fields**.
* If you reach 20 or more custom fields, SuperPath shows a warning: a large number of fields can slow the profile page down, so it's worth reviewing whether each is still needed.

## FAQs
**Where do custom fields appear once created?**
On each person's **Additional Details** tab. If you turned on **Show on list view**, the field also appears as a column in the People list. If you turned on **Include in reports**, it appears as a column on reports that list people, in their CSV exports and in Scheduled Reports.

**Can I change the field type after creating it?**
No. The type is fixed once the field is created. If you need a different type, create a new field with the type you want.

**What's the API key for?**
It's a stable identifier used in API filters and in exports — and, when adding people in bulk, it matches each spreadsheet column to the right field. It's generated from the field name and can't be changed after the field is created.

**How many custom fields can I create?**
There's no hard limit, but SuperPath warns you once you have 20 or more, because too many fields can slow the profile page.

## Who can do this
Only **Owners** can create custom fields. The **Custom Fields** tab in Settings is shown to Owners only, and creating a field requires the manage permission that only the Owner role holds. **Admins**, **Managers**, **People Managers**, **Content Managers**, **Instructors**, **Employees** and **Restricted** users cannot create custom fields.