Define data fields

Define data fields to ensure consistent data collection across tools within your project.

Note

In the web app: To define data fields in the web app, select Data Definitions .

In This Topic

Determine the category
Create a new category
Edit a category name
Create the data field
Edit a data field
Add data fields to forms
Add data fields to maps

Determine the category

Choose one of the following predefined categories for the data field.

Single-Value Category: A data field in this category can have only one value per project, for example, project leader or project number.
Data Table: A data field in this category can be displayed as a data table because each data field (column headings) can have multiple values (rows). For example, a project can have multiple team members, and each team member has a name, a job title, and a role, which appear as column headings in the data table. The data values for each data field appear as rows.

Create a new category

Only create a new category if the predefined categories do not suit your needs.

Choose File > Data Definitions.
Select New single-value category or New data table.
Enter a name for the new category, then select OK.
Be sure to add data fields to the new category.

Edit a category name

You can edit the name of any category that you create and some predefined categories.

From the Data Definitions dialog, select a category.
If available, select Edit.
Enter a new name for the category.

Create the data field

After you determine the data field's category, you can create a data field.

Choose File > Data Definitions.
Expand the category that the data field belongs to and select New field.
Complete the dialog box. For help with selecting a field type, go to Types of data fields.
When you finish editing the dialog box, select Close.

Edit a data field

You can edit any data field that you create and only some predefined data fields.

From the Data Definitions dialog, select a data field.
If available, select Edit.
Make your changes, then select Save.

Add data fields to forms

After you create data fields, you can add them to forms to collect the key metrics that you want to track in your projects.

To add data fields to forms, go Design a form.

Note

In the web app: Design mode is not currently available in the web app.

To share data fields with other projects, save the form that contains the data fields, then save the form as a template in a shared Workgroup folder. For more information, go to Specify where custom templates are saved.

Note

In the web app: You cannot currently create or save custom templates in the web app.

Add data fields to maps

You can add data fields to shapes and task panes in maps to help you better understand your process. Go to Add data to a map.