Custom attributes are fields you create in addition to the built-in set, each with its own label and type. Build as many as you need from the predefined attribute types. This article covers the available types, how to add an attribute, and how to copy one.
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Attribute types
Every custom attribute uses one of the types below. The type determines how the field behaves and what settings it offers.
Text
A simple text field for short entries. Display it as either a text box or a text area, with an optional character limit.
File
Lets membership applicants and event registrants upload files to a form, or upload files directly to their profile. Supported types are BMP, CSV, DOC, EPG, GIF, ICO, JPG, JPEG, MP3, ODG, ODP, ODS, ODT, PDF, PNG, PPS, PPSX, PPT, SWF, TXT, XCF, XLS, XLSX, DOCX, PPTX, ZIP, TIF, WAV, and MP4.
Image
Holds an uploaded image. Supported types are GIF, ICO, JPG, and JPEG, with a maximum file size of 25 MB.
Date
Displays a calendar control for selecting a date.
Selection set
A group of selectable options, configured for either single or multiple selections. Display a selection set as:
- Radio buttons
- A dropdown menu
- Checkboxes
- A selection box
Number
Holds a number or a unit of something, such as an age or a phone number.
State or province
Displays a preset dropdown of either U.S. states or Canadian provinces. Members select one or more options, depending on your attribute settings.
Country
Displays a preset dropdown of countries. Members select one or more options, depending on your attribute settings.
Website
Holds a website address in the member's profile. Whatever text the member enters becomes a hyperlink.
Adding a custom attribute
- Go to Database > Attributes.
- Select ADD CUSTOM ATTRIBUTE.
- Enter a name in the Attribute Name field.
- Choose a type from the Attribute Type dropdown.
- Select SAVE.
Country, Date, File, Image, and Website attributes offer a custom label only. The types below offer additional settings.
Selection set settings
Use the Selection Display Options dropdown to choose how the set appears:
- Single Selection: Radio Buttons
- Single Selection: Dropdown Menus
- Multiple Selection: Checkboxes
- Multiple Selection: Select Box
Use the Add a Selection field to add options to the set. Single-selection sets that are not required display a None option, selected by default.
Select SAVE, or SAVE AND ADD ANOTHER to create a second selection set. Toggle on Required to make the attribute mandatory.
Number settings
Toggle on Accept Decimals, then set Digits After Decimal. To use the field for money, toggle on Field is for Currency and pick a currency from the Accepted Currency dropdown.
States settings
Add a dropdown containing U.S. states, U.S. territories and possessions, U.S. military states, or Canadian provinces. Display the entries as either their full name or their abbreviation.
Text settings
Use the Display As dropdown to show the field as either a text box or a text area in the member's profile. Use Character Limit (Optional) to cap the entry length.
Copying an attribute
To build an attribute similar to one that already exists, copy the original and edit the copy. This is faster than starting from scratch.
A copied attribute keeps the same permissions and member type assignments as the attribute it came from.