Create a custom field on an asset

There are two main ways to create a custom field for an asset: in the asset record directly, or (if you're on the Enterprise plan) via the data dictionary. You can create custom fields for any asset type (facilities, equipment, etc.).

This article covers the following tasks:

• Create a custom field directly in an asset record
• Create a custom field using the data dictionary (Enterprise only)
• Add an existing custom field to an asset

Create a custom field directly in an asset record

To create a new custom field directly in an asset record, complete the following steps:

1. Navigate to Assets > All Assets.
2. Click the asset you want to add the custom field to.
3. In the Custom tab, click the Add Custom Field button:
   
4. Enter a Name and Label for the field. The name is how the system refers to that field in the database, and it must start with a letter and not contain spaces. The label is how you'll see the field in the CMMS.
5. Select a Type in the drop-down list. The type you select defines what sort of information the field captures (text, number, date, etc.)
6. In the Applies to this asset category drop-down list, select which category of assets this field applies to. 
   For example, to add the custom field to all assets in the Fork Lift category, select Fork Lift.
7. To apply the field to sub-categories of the category you selected above, select the Also apply this field to all child categories checkbox.
8. Click OK:
   

The new custom field is now visible under the Custom tab. It will display on all assets in the same category (as well as any sub-categories, if you selected the checkbox in step 7):

Create a custom field using the data dictionary

To create a new custom field in the data dictionary, complete the following steps:

1. Navigate to Settings > Data Dictionary.
2. Click tblAsset:
   
3. Click the + button:
   
4. Enter a Name and Label for the field. The name is how the system refers to that field in the database, and it must start with a letter and not contain spaces. The label is how you'll see the field in the CMMS.
5. Select a Type in the drop-down list. The type you select defines what sort of information the field captures (text, number, date, etc.)
6. In the Applies to this asset category drop-down list, select which category of assets this field applies to. For example, to add the custom field to all assets in the Fork Lift category, select Fork Lift.
7. To apply the field to sub-categories of the category you selected above, select the Also apply this field to all child categories checkbox.
8. Click OK:
   

The custom field is added to the list. The checkbox in the Custom column is automatically selected to indicate that it's a custom field:

 If we navigate back to the asset record, the new custom field is now listed in the Custom tab.

Add an existing custom field to an asset

In addition to creating new custom fields for assets, you can also add existing custom fields to them. For example, if you removed a custom field from an asset, you can use this functionality to re-add it directly in the asset record.

To re-add a custom field to an asset, complete the following steps:

1. Navigate to Assets > All Assets.
2. Click the asset you want to re-add the custom field to.
3. Click the Custom tab.
4. Click the gear icon.
5. In the drop-down list that appears, click Select visible elements:
   
6. Select the checkbox next to the field you want to add:
   
7. Click OK.
8. Click Save.