Salesforce comes with object fields that users can use to store various types of record data. There are default object fields that automatically come in every Salesforce application. These fields are known as Standard Fields; tiy can edit them, but you can’t delete them. However, there’s also room for special fields that users create on their own. They’re called custom fields. This post will focus on custom fields-what they are and how to create them.
What is a Custom Field?
In Salesforce, a custom field is an object field, which users create to store their own specialized data and records. Each custom field carries a specific user-defined field type, and various customized attributes that the user also sets. The custom field differs from the standard field in such a way that you can edit and delete them.
Creating a Custom Salesforce Field
Users can create custom fields in two ways – for a standard object and for a custom object.
For Standard objects: In the Setup mode, select Build > Customize > [Specific Standard Object Name] > Fields, then click New.
For Custom objects: In the Setup mode, select Build > Create > Objects. Locate the Custom Fields Section, then click New.
Defining a Field Type
After creating a new custom field, it’s time to assign a field type. Field types provide users a way to know what’s in the particular custom field. Simply put, it’s the type of data assigned to the custom field. You can choose from the list of field types that Salesforce automatically provides. Examples include Text and Numbers.
Defining Field Attributes
Apart from the field type, a newly created custom field needs to have a defined set of attributes to provide more depth and help you use these fields properly.
Here’s a list of the attributes that each custom field may possibly have:
Field Label visible to the users
Unique Field Name
Description
Help Text in bubble format
Unique
Required
Default Value
External ID
Setting Up Field Security and Layouts
Field security allows developers to set up the field’s visibility to its overall users in a profile. For instance, a field can both be visible and editable to users, visible only, or not visible at all. You can simply tick the boxes indicating if their field is visible or read-only under the Field-Level Security page. Lastly, you can choose if the field will appear in a certain page layout page or not.