Collect additional data points beyond the default fields Spark offers. Use custom fields to tailor the information you collect about Contacts, Inventory, Contracts, Brokerages and Team Members to meet your unique recording and reporting needs.
Custom fields can be created at the company level for global use across projects, or created at the project level to satisfy field requirements that pertain only to that project.
The following field types are available at both the company and project levels:
| Field Type | Description |
| Short Text |
Used for short, text-based entries. Limit 30 characters. Example: Middle Name for contacts |
| Long Text |
Used for long, text-based entries. Limit 1,000 characters. Example: MLS Description for inventory units |
| Date |
Used to capture a specific date. Example: Adjustment date for contracts |
| Date & Time |
Used to capture a specific date and time. Example: Homeowner Inspection date and time for contracts |
| Dropdown |
Used to provide a list of predefined values to select from. Allow single responses or multiple responses and choose whether or not to accept other, self-entered values. Example: Preferred Home Type (1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom, 3 Bedroom) for contacts |
| Checkbox |
Used to provide a list of predefined values to select from where multiple selections are permitted. Choose whether or not to accept other, self-entered values. Example: Amenity Interest - Select all that apply (Gym, Games Room, Guest Suite) for contacts |
| Radio |
Used to provide a list of predefined values to select from where a single selection is permitted. Choose whether or not to accept other, self-entered values. Example: Reason for Purchase (End User, Investor) for contacts |
| Number |
Used to capture numerical data. Example: Preferred Bedroom Count for contacts |
| Measurement |
Used to capture length or area. Define the desired imperial or metric unit to use. Example: Total Area for inventory units |
| Currency |
Used to capture a monetary number. Example: Estimated Monthly Fees for inventory units |
| Percentage |
Used to capture a number as a percent. Example: Mortgage Rate for contracts |
Creating a New Custom Field
Note: Only short and long text custom field types are searchable in the list view filters and advanced search feature. If you need to search for custom field data (for example, to make a Smart Group), be sure you are using one of these two field types.
To create a new custom field, begin either at the company level (if you want the field to be available for all projects) or the project level (if the field is specific to one project). Click on the Settings menu and choose Team, Brokerages, Contacts, Inventory, or Contracts as appropriate for the field you want to create.
Next, navigate to the Custom Fields tab and click + New Custom Fields. Enter a field name and choose your desired type. Optionally, give the field a description for additional context. The description is only for internal use and will not be displayed externally.
If you are creating a company-level Inventory or Contract custom field, choose which projects to share it to in the Projects dropdown list. Brokerage, Team, and Contact custom fields are always shared to all projects.
If you would like to make the field required for team members when they are manually adding contacts (or editing existing ones), turn the Required Field toggle on.
If you have chosen the dropdown, checkbox, or radio field type, you will also need to add in your desired selections. See Adding Field Values for more information.
If you have chosen the Measurement field type, select the desired unit of measurement from the dropdown list
Once you have entered all of the information for your custom field, click Create.
Adding Field Values
The dropdown, checkbox, and radio field types allow you to name the field and create multiple values to select among. To add field values, type the desired content in the value section. Click + Value to add additional field values as needed. If you would like to allow for other, self-entered values, toggle the Allow Other Values switch to Yes.
Editing a Custom Field
To edit an existing custom field, begin by navigating to either the company-level settings or the project-level settings where the field exists as appropriate. For example, to edit a project-level company field, go to the dashboard for that project, then go to Settings > Contacts > Custom Fields tab.
Next, click the micromenu (three dots) next to the field and select Edit. Make any necessary updates to the field name, description, field requirements, projects, values, or measurement settings and click Save.
Note: If you edit the name of a custom field that is mapped on your documents, it is imperative that you notify the Spark team so that we can update your document mapping. If you do not, the field will not map properly on future documents. Likewise, if you edit the name of a custom field that is being used on any of your registration forms via API, you should check with your web developer that they have updated the field’s name or it will not send the information to Spark correctly. If they are sending information to Spark using the field’s ID, no change is needed.
Deleting a Custom Field
If you need to delete a custom field, begin by navigating to either the company-level settings or the project-level settings where the field exists as appropriate. For example, to edit a project-level company field, go to the dashboard for that project, then go to Settings > Contacts > Custom Fields tab.
Project-level custom fields can be deleted at the project level, and company-level custom fields that have been shared with one or more projects can be deleted at the company level.
Click the micromenu (three dots) next to the field and select Delete.
Note: Be very cautious when deleting custom fields. Any custom fields that are deleted and are mapped on your document or being used on your registration form, email templates, or reporting will no longer map to documents, post to Spark, fill in your template, or be used in your reports.