How to Add a Custom Field in BoldDesk Contact Forms
Custom fields in BoldDesk allow you to capture additional contact information tailored to your business needs. This guide explains how to create, configure, and manage custom fields within the BoldDesk UI.
Check out the video tutorial below.
Steps to Add a New Contact Custom Field
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Navigate to Admin Settings > User fields > Contact Form.
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Click Add Field on the top-right corner.
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You will be presented with two options: either add a new field or add an existing field.
Custom Field Configuration Options
When creating a new custom field, configure the following:
Field Type
| Field Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Textbox (single line) | Captures short text input |
| Textbox (multi-line) | Captures longer text input |
| Checkbox | Allows selection of a single checkbox |
| Yes or No | Displays a binary choice |
| Date | Captures date values |
| Date Time | Captures date and time values |
| Numeric | Accepts whole numbers |
| Decimal | Accepts decimal numbers |
| Dropdown (single-select) | Allows one option from a list |
| Dropdown (multi-select) | Allows multiple options from a list |
| Regex | Validates input using a regex pattern |
| URL | Captures a valid web address |
| ePHI | Stores Electronic Protected Health Information securely |
| Lookup | Displays a dropdown referencing values from other entities. Useful for relational data mapping. |
Label for Agent and Customer Portal
Defines the field name displayed in the agent portal contact form.
API Name
Assign an API name for integration and automation purposes.
Note Message
Add informational text for the field. Display options:
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Below Field – Shows note under the field.
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Note Message Display Info Icon – Displays note as a tooltip when hovering over the icon.
Add this field to
This option allows the user to directly add the new field to the contact or agent form, making it immediately available for use.
Field Display Conditions
Use Field Display Conditions to dynamically show or hide fields based on predefined rules. Explore how to Dynamically show or hide fields in form using field display conditions.
Configuration for Agent Portal
Control visibility and edit permissions:
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Agent Can Edit – Allows agents to modify the field.
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Mandatory – Makes the field required during form submission.
Mandatory option is disabled if Agent Can Edit is unchecked.
Configuration for Customer Portal
Field configuration specifies the field visibility and mandatory status for the custom field.
- By checking or unchecking the Visible to user, you can control the field’s visibility. If it’s unchecked, the custom field will not appear on the profile page.
- By checking or unchecking the User can edit, you can control whether the field can be edited by contact. If it’s unchecked, the custom field will only appear as a read-only field on the profile page.
- By checking or unchecking the Visible in Sign Up form, you can control the field visibility on the sign-up page. If it’s unchecked, the custom field will not appear on the sign-up form.
- You can make a field mandatory when submitting the form.
If the User can edit is unchecked, you cannot make a custom field mandatory.
Dropdown option values
The option values for the dropdown custom field can be added as strings. If there are multiple values, use a comma to separate them. You can perform the following actions on option values:
- Option values can be renamed or deleted. After an option value is deleted, it cannot be restored.
- Option values can be dragged and dropped for sorting. You can also sort them in alphabetical order.
- A default value for the dropdown option can be set such that it fills automatically when a form is loaded in the agent/customer portal.
You can also configure field dependency for the dropdown or multi-select fields. Explore more about Dynamically show or hide fields in form using field display conditions.
Permission for adding a new custom field
To add a new custom field, you should enable the Manage fields and forms permission.
FAQs
1. Can I create conditional fields in BoldDesk?
Yes. Use Field Display Conditions to show or hide fields based on other field values.
2. How do I make a custom field mandatory in BoldDesk?
Enable the Mandatory option in field settings. Note that it requires edit permissions for agents or users.
3. Can dropdown fields in BoldDesk have dependencies?
Yes. You can configure field dependencies for dropdown and multi-select fields to dynamically filter options.
4. Is there a limit to the number of custom fields in BoldDesk?
BoldDesk allows multiple custom fields per form, but performance best practices recommend keeping forms optimized.
5. Can I restrict custom field visibility to specific roles?
Yes. Use Agent Portal and Customer Portal visibility settings to control access based on roles.
