Custom fields let you record information that oboloo's standard fields don't cover, on suppliers, contracts, savings and sourcing activities. This guide shows administrators how to create, edit, disable and reorder them.

Before you start

Only users whose role has Create or Edit access to Custom Fields & Tabs can create and manage custom fields. To check your access, see Viewing Your Access Rights. Custom fields need any Plus plan. Without one, clicking Save Change opens an upgrade window, and custom fields aren't shown on records.

Create a custom field

Open Custom Fields & Tabs

Go to Settings > Custom Fields & Tabs. On the Custom Fields tab, click Create New Custom Field.

Name the field

In Field Name, enter a name that makes clear what to record, for example Insurance Policy Number.

Choose the module

In Field Related To, choose Supplier Management, Contract Management, Savings Management or Sourcing.

Choose the field type

Field Type

Use it for

Text

Free text, up to 100 characters.

Number

Whole numbers only, such as a reference number or quantity.

Date

A date, such as a review or renewal date.

Dropdown

A fixed list of options. Add each one in Option and click Add Option. Not available for the Sourcing pricing area.

Choose where it appears

In Area Of Placement, choose where the field shows on the record. Any custom tabs you've created for Supplier, Contract or Savings Management are also listed. Suppliers can see fields marked *.

Module

Areas

Supplier Management

Supplier Summary, Documents Tab*, Supplier Notes, Supplier Contacts

Contract Management

Contract Summary, Documents Tab*, Contract Notes, Financials Tab, Termination & Extension Tab

Savings Management

Savings Summary, Documents Tab, Savings Notes, Milestones Tab

Sourcing

Sourcing Summary & Activity Overview, Documents Tab & Adding Documents To Sourcing Activity, Sourcing Notes, Financials Tab & Adding pricing To Sourcing Activity, Supplier Sourcing Sections, Supplier Questionnaires*

Enable the field

Tick Enable this custom field for use to make it available on records straight away.

Click Save Change

The field is added to the custom fields list. Custom fields can't be made required.

Edit or disable a custom field

Find the field

On the Custom Fields tab, use Filter by Module, Filter by Status or Search.

Open it

Open the three-dot menu on the field's row and click Edit. Edit Custom Field opens.

Make your changes

  • Field Name: can always be changed.

  • Dropdown options: can only be changed while no record uses the field.

  • Field Type and Area Of Placement: can't be changed. To change them, create a new field.

If the field is in use, a red message explains what you can change. Open View records using this field to see which records use it.

Disable the field if you no longer need it

Untick Enable this custom field for use and click Save Change. The field disappears from all records, but its values are kept and come back if you enable it again. Custom fields can't be deleted.

Reorder custom fields on records

Open a record

Open a supplier, contract or savings record and go to a section with enabled custom fields, such as the summary, documents or a custom tab.

Click Edit in that section

You'll only see the reorder option if your role has Reorder Fields ticked on the Custom Fields & Tabs row.

Drag the fields into order

Dragging custom fields into a new order
Dragging custom fields into a new order

Click Save

The new order applies to every record of that type. Fields can only move within their own section, and newly enabled fields are added at the bottom.

What happens next

  • On records: the field appears in the area you chose, for everyone who can view the record.

  • In tables and exports: fields placed in a record's summary can be added as table columns with Edit Columns, can be sorted and are included in CSV exports. Custom fields can't be used as table filters.

  • In imports: summary fields can be mapped in Settings > Import Data for suppliers and contracts, except dropdown fields.

  • In the API and Change Log: custom fields are available through the API, and changes to them are recorded on the record's Change Log tab.

Troubleshooting

An upgrade window opened when I clicked Save Change

Custom fields need any Plus plan. Ask your administrator about upgrading.

My custom field doesn't appear on records

Check that Enable this custom field for use is ticked and that you're looking in the area you chose. Custom fields are hidden on records if your account has no Plus plan.

I can't change the field type or dropdown options

Field Type and Area Of Placement are always locked once a field is created, and dropdown options lock as soon as a record uses the field. Create a new field and disable the old one.

I can't see the option to reorder fields

Your role needs Reorder Fields on the Custom Fields & Tabs row. Ask an administrator to update it.

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📌 Need Further Help?
If you need further assistance, please contact your internal platform administrator for support. Otherwise please reach out to oboloo's support team. If you are unable to view the above area in the oboloo platform, please check your user permissions and access rights.