Learn about managing Patch Contact Fields from within your account settings.
What are Patch Contact Fields?
The Fields apply to your Contacts and are the format your information is stored in Patch. These Fields serve as customizable containers for various types of data, ensuring that your contact information is organized, accessible, and tailored to meet your specific needs.
By utilizing Fields, you can capture a wide range of information about your Contacts, from basic identifiers like names and phone numbers to more complex data such as preferences and behavioral insights. This adaptability allows for a more comprehensive understanding of your Contacts, facilitating better communication and engagement strategies.
Ultimately, the ability to customize Fields adds significant flexibility to your contact database, enabling you to manage and utilize your data in a way that best supports your organizational goals and enhances your overall customer relationship management efforts.
Where can find my contact fields?
By navigating to the Account Settings, and then the 'Fields' option.
Note: Account-level fields can be found under General Fields.
How do I manage my contact fields?
You can add, view, edit fields that contain specific data.
* IF edit/delete is not available then these are default and cannot be changed or removed.*
* Remember that these are the same fields that are stored on each of your Contacts and can be viewed in the Contacts page and within each Contact Profile.
What do the column names mean in the fields table?
When the Fields page opens up, it will show the list of ALL fields in the account.
They are separated by these different characteristics:
- Name - The Name of the field, ex. First Name
- Type - There are 9 different field types, some have multiple options
- Key - The internal name of which can be identified in Patch Retention
- Notes - And notes that have been added to the field
- Account - The account id and name that is associated with the field. This is important for multi-location accounts with a parent child account relationship.
How to Create a New Contact Field
To create a new Contact field, click on the (+) icon located in the lower right corner of the screen.
When you initiate the creation of a new field, you will be prompted to enter a name for the field, and you have the option to rename the Field Key. The Field Key will automatically populate based on the name you provide, but you can modify it to your preference. Please note that once a Field Key is created, it cannot be changed again; therefore, ensure that it accurately reflects the intended use of the field.
After you have specified both the Field Name and Key, the next step is to select a Field Type. There are nine different Field Types available:
- Text: This field accommodates textual information, such as product names, categories, or customer preferences. You can also provide multiple options for this field, which can be displayed as a drop-down menu for easier selection.
- Number: This field is designed exclusively for numerical data, with a maximum limit of 8 characters. It does not accept text input. Additional options, such as allowing multiple values, can also be configured.
- Punchcard: This field is used to track loyalty or rewards points. The point total can fluctuate based on points earned or redeemed. Each Patch account comes with a preloaded Punchcard field for the Loyalty & Rewards program. If you need to create additional punchcards, please contact success@patchretention.com to ensure proper setup.
- Date: This field is intended for date entries, such as birthdays, visit dates, or appointments. It accepts various input formats, but it is stored by default as ‘YYYY-MM-DD’.
- Timestamp: This field automatically logs the date and time when a specific event or action occurs. It must be associated with an event or automation upon creation.
- Checkbox: This field allows for a binary choice, where you can simply check the box or leave it unchecked. It is commonly used for opt-ins, consent agreements, and similar purposes, with stored values of Yes, No, or Empty (if unselected).
- Image: This field enables users to upload an image either by taking a picture with their camera or selecting an existing photo from their library. You can also choose to allow multiple images to be stored in this field.
- Password (not applicable for Shopify Merchant accounts): This field is typically used for the Contact Portal or API. If a password exists, it will be displayed as asterisks (********) to maintain confidentiality, while still indicating that an entry is present.
- Object (not applicable for Shopify Merchant accounts): This field is less commonly used, typically reserved for scenarios such as adding multiple children, appointment notes, or minor waivers.