Defining Custom Fields

If you log on as a company administrator, you can define custom fields for any window that supports them. Sage 100 Contractor does not limit the number of custom fields you can define for a window or for your company.

You use the Custom Field Properties window to add, edit, and delete custom fields.

To add a new custom field:

1. In a window that supports custom fields, click Edit > Enter Custom Fields, or click the Enter custom fields button on the taskbar.

   If no custom fields have been defined for the window, the Custom Field Properties window appears immediately.

   If any custom fields exist for the window, the Custom Fields entry window appears. In the Custom Fields window, click [Add].

   Tip: If you want to modify or delete an existing field, you click the field in the Custom Fields window, and then either:

   • Press F7 or
   • Click [Modify],

   Then, on the Modify Custom Fields window, you click the Edit properties for this field button or the Delete button.

2. Fill in the fields in the Custom Field Properties window as follows:

   1. In the Field Name box, type a unique name to identify the custom field, using six characters.

      Note: You cannot save a custom field with the same name as an existing custom field that has been defined for a window, and you cannot change the name after you save the custom field.

   2. In the Description box, type a brief description for the custom field, using up to 30 characters.

   3. From the Field Type list, select the type of data this field will contain. For example, if you will use the field to store a type of number, select Number.

      Note: You cannot change the field type after you save the custom field.

   4. Depending on the Field Type you selected in the previous step, fill in additional attributes for the custom field:

      • Length. For Character field types, enter maximum number of characters (use up to 255 characters) that the custom field can accept.

      • Decimal Places. For Number field types, select the number of decimal places (0, 2, 4, or 6) that numeric entries will use.

      • Maximum Value / Minimum Value. If you want to track a standard currency value, you need to set maximum and minimum values. The maximum value must be no greater than 999,999,999 and the minimum value should be no less than -99,999,999, the default values for these fields.

        Numeric fields must have a maximum value greater than zero. You cannot use the same values for Minimum Value and Maximum Value.

      • Prompt. For all field types, type a prompt to help users understand what to enter in the custom field when they are processing records.

      • Default Entry. For all field types, type or select (if a list is available) the entry to display as the default for the field.

        Character fields can accept default entries, but not "Next" or "Previous."

        Date fields display the date that occurs the number of days you specify after the current date ("TODAY").

        Check boxes can be selected, or not, by default.

   5. Set other options as follows:

      • Require Entry. Requires an entry, or Sage 100 Contractor will not save the record.

      • Use Quick List. You can provide a Quick List control for a customer field by selecting the Use Quick List checkbox.

      • Require List Match. Requires that the entry match an item on the Quick List.

      • Lock Quick List. Prevents users from editing a Quick List. Only a company administrator can edit the information.

      • Lock After Save. Prevents users from editing the information after saving the record. Only a company administrator can edit the information.

      • Require Unique. Prevents users from entering duplicate information. This is available for indexed text boxes that let you enter character-based information.

      • Check Spelling. Checks the spelling when you move to another text box or cell. If Sage 100 Contractor finds a misspelled word, it displays the Spelling dialog box.

      • Mixed Case. Allows text entry in upper and lower case.

      • Upper Case. Displays text only in upper case.

      • Lower Case. Converts entry to lower case text.

   6. On the Permit Access to list, select the user groups that should have access to the field. If you do not select any user group, all user groups have access.
3. Click [Save].