Types of data fields

When you create a data field, you can choose from the following field types.

In This Topic

List (text values)
List (numeric values)
Text
Memo
Rich Text
Date
Decimal
Integer
Formula (numeric values)
Formula (text values)
Formula (date values)

To share data with other forms, connect the data fields to form controls in design mode. For information, go to Insert form controls.

Note

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

List (text values)

Use to specify the text values that a user can choose from. Use text list values in the following ways.

On forms, connect text lists to drop down, option, or list controls.

You can keep a blank row as the default value to prevent a project from reporting a value that a user did not intentionally choose.

List (numeric values)

Use to specify the numeric values that a user can choose from. Use numeric list values in the following ways.

Use to convert text values to numeric values for use as inputs into formulas. For example, in a numeric formula, "yes" could equal 1 and "no" could equal 0.
On forms, connect numeric lists to drop down, option, or list controls.

Text

Use when data is a text string, with no line breaks or paragraphs. Use text values in the following ways.

To allow users to enter multiple lines of text, including line breaks or paragraphs, choose a memo field instead.
To limit users to a predefined list of values, choose a list field instead.
On forms, connect text fields to text box controls.

Memo

Use memo values in the following ways.

Use when data is multiple lines of text, including line breaks or paragraphs.
On forms, connect memo fields to memo controls.

Rich Text

Use rich text values in the following ways.

Date

Use when data is a date. Use date values in the following ways.

Choose from a short date format or a long date format.
On forms, connect date fields to date picker controls.

Decimal

Use when data is a decimal number or a percentage, or if users must enter scientific notation. If you specify the number of decimal places, then the maximum number of decimals that are stored and displayed is 9. If you do not specify the number of decimal places, then the maximum number of decimals that are stored and displayed is 15. Users can enter any number within the minimum/maximum you set. Use decimal values in the following ways.

To limit users to a predefined list of numbers, choose a list field instead.
On forms, connect decimal fields to numeric box controls.

Integer

Use when data is a whole number. Commonly used for financial data to prevent users from entering fractional currency. Users can enter any number within the minimum/maximum you set. Use integer values in the following ways.

To limit users to a predefined list of numbers, choose a list field instead.
On forms, connect integer fields to numeric box controls.

Formula (numeric values)

Use when data is a numeric result of a formula. Use numeric formula values in the following ways.

Formulas use other fields to produce a result. For example, some formulas might add or subtract financial fields.
On forms, connect numeric formulas to numeric box controls.

Note

For more information, go to Formula functions.

Formula (text values)

Use to return a formula result as text. Use text formula values in the following ways.

Most commonly used with text formula functions, such as concatenate, left, right, and so on.
On forms, connect text formulas to text box controls.

Note

For more information, go to Formula functions.

Formula (date values)

Use when you need to calculate a date value based on another date value. Use date formula values in the following ways.

Dates are measured in days. So, to calculate a date 2 weeks after the start date, the formula expression would be [Start Date] + 14.
Use the DATE() function to construct dates out of day, month, and year components.
On forms, connect to date picker controls.

Note

For more information, go to Formula functions.