Data Type

This field is used to assign a particular data type for each user defined field.  

The physical database field is a 128 character text field, however, via the Admin >> Setup >> User Defined Field screen, you can define how a particular user defined field is to be treated.  The current data type options include:

• Text -- Fields defined with this data type will accept any characters (alpha, numeric, etc.).

• Numeric -- Fields defined with this data type will accept only numeric values.

• Date -- Fields defined with this data type will accept only a valid date format.  Currently, the system will attempt to accept a variety of possible data formats.

• Pick List -- Fields defined with this data type will require that the administrator also supply a list of values that will appear in a drop-down list box for that user defined field.

• URL -- Fields defined with this data type will require a particular format (i.e.,  they must begin with either      http://    or    https://   ).   
  
  Note that fields defined as type URL, will be live clickable hyperlinks in the following areas:

1. • Expense Type - Admin >> Setup >> Expense Type list
   • Organization -- Organization list and on the Organization Activity Report
   • Project -- Organization Activity Report
   • Task -- Task list
   • Project Notes -- Project Note list
   • Customer Profile -- Organization list and on the Organization Activity Report
   • Vendor Profile -- Organization list and on the Organization Activity Report

When specifying a data type, the system will validate that any existing data conforms to the new data type / pick list value set.

Depending on the volume of data in your system, this validation step could take several moments.  Should the system discover that you have non-conforming data, you may find the export/import features helpful for identifying and correcting non-conforming entries (which you will need to correct before re-attempting to change the data type).