There are seven possible data types for custom user fields. You use the Type list to choose the data type.
Text: The input can be any string of characters. A blank field appears in the dialog box. The minimum and maximum length of the entry can be specified.
Numeric: The input must be a number. A blank field appears in the dialog box. If anything other than numeric characters is entered, the user is notified and the input is not saved.
Date Time: The input must be a date and/or a time. A blank field appears in the dialog box. Dates can be typed in numeric format, or in a format such as December 20, 2011, which is automatically converted when entered. You can also select a date from the calendar that appears when you click the field. Time must be entered using a colon to separate hours and minutes. As long as one digit follows the colon, the time is saved (using zeros in place of any omitted digits). For invalid input, the user is notified and the input is not saved.
Boolean: The input can be True or False. A list displays the choices True and False in the dialog box. By default, a Boolean field displays (None).
Large Text: The input is a large amount of text in which a manager or user can type notes or other information (for example, a job description) about an account.
Single Select List: Provides a list of options from which one option can be selected. Once created, a list automatically appears when the field is selected. An additional option of (None) is automatically included when the list is displayed.
Unordered List: Provides a list from which multiple options can be selected. The options appear in a list and end users can use CTRL to select multiple options.
For each field type, one or more of the following options may appear.
Value Required: Marks a custom field as required and a red asterisk appears next to the field name on the User Properties page. This requires a manager or user to enter data in the field, or the record is not saved.
User Can View Value: Enables a user to view a custom user field in the Knowledge Center. If the User Can Modify Value option is also enabled, the user can also modify the entry in the field. If this option is disabled, the custom field does not appear in the Knowledge Center, and the User Can Modify Value option is disabled automatically.
User Can Modify Value: Enables a user to modify a custom user field in the Knowledge Center. This field can only be selected when the User Can View Value option is enabled. If this option is disabled, a user can view the information in the field, which was typed in Manager, as long as the User Can View Value option is enabled, but cannot modify it.
Minimum length of value: Specify the minimum length of the text typed into a text field. If the Minimum length of value option is disabled, there is no minimum length required on the entry.
Maximum length of value: Specify the maximum length of the text typed into a text field. If the Maximum length of value option is disabled, the entry can be a maximum of 255 characters.
Pick List: Create a list of choices for Single Select List and Unordered List field types.
To create a text, numeric, date/time, Boolean, or large text field:
Display the Custom User Field Management page.
Click Create Custom User Field.
Type the name of the new field.
Select the desired data type from the Type list.
Set the field options by selecting/deselecting options or typing field lengths as desired.
Click Save.
To create a single select list or unordered list field:
Display the Custom User Field Management page.
Click Create Custom UserField.
Type the name of the new field.
Select the Single Select List or Unordered List data type from the Type list.
Set the field options by selecting/deselecting options as desired.
In the Pick List, click in the first row in the Name column.
Type the first list option.
Press ENTER or click below the pick list to display a blank row.
Continue adding values until the list is complete.