Fields and Field Groups

A Database Field is a set of data values of the same data type in a Database Table. It is also called a column or an attribute. In a Database containing employee data, for example, each employee record would have the following Fields:

• Employee Name
• Employee ID
• Employment Start Date
• Job Title
• Job Tenure

The table below illustrates a Database comprising the Fields mentioned above and their corresponding data.

Field State

While working on your Database, there are two states that a Field can be in, 'Draft' and 'Existing'. After you save a Field, certain options will be locked to ensure the integrity of the data in the Database.

• Draft Field: Displayed as a 'pen' icon () on the list of Fields. You may edit all the properties of a draft Field. Selecting SAVE finalises your changes and locks this Field.
• Existing Field: You may edit the 'Field Name' and 'UI Element'. The Fields 'Field Type' and 'Database Column Name' stay the same to protect Database integrity.

Adding a Field

We have already discussed adding Fields to a new Database, so we will tackle adding a Field to an existing Database in this article. To add a Field to an existing Database:

1. Navigate to Databases from the main menu.
2. Select All Databases.
3. Find the Database that you want to add a Field to, then click on its Configuration action link.
4. Navigate to the 'Fields' tab on the 'Configuration' page.
5. Select the ADD FIELD link near the top right area of the page.
6. Fill out the forms. Input requirements and descriptions are described in detail in the 'Adding a Database' article. You may also refer to the article that discusses Field Types and UI Elements.
7. Click on the SAVE FIELD button when done. Take note that this does not make changes to the Database yet. You may add more Fields or change your draft Field(s) as required.
8. Select SAVE to finalise your Field and add it to the Database.

Editing a Field

To make changes to Fields on your Database:

1. Navigate to Databases from the main menu.
2. Select All Databases.
3. Find the Database containing the Fields you want to edit, then click on its Configuration action link.
4. Navigate to the 'Fields' tab on the 'Configuration' page.
5. Click on a Field to initiate the edit screen.
6. Make your changes.
7. Click on the SAVE FIELD button. You may proceed with adding new Fields or updating existing Fields. At this point, the changes you have made to the Fields have yet to be made final.
8. Click on the SAVE button to finalise the changes you made to your Database.

Deleting a Field

1. Navigate to Databases from the main menu.
2. Select All Databases.
3. Find the Database containing the Fields you want to delete and select its Configuration row action link.
4. Navigate to the 'Fields' tab on the 'Configuration' page.
5. Select the Field you want to delete and click the DELETE FIELD button.
6. Click SAVE to finalise your deletion. Selecting CANCEL aborts the deletion attempt and restores the deleted Field in the display panel.

Field Groups

The Field Groups on Insites is an Instance Admin user interface feature that is handy for Administrators and other users.

Field Groups enable you to categorise Fields when configuring a Database. These grouped fields are then presented in a card layout when users add or update a Database Item. This arrangement enhances readability, particularly when your Database contains numerous Fields. For example, consider a Database containing vehicle information where you want to group related Fields for better user accessibility and content editing.

The following sections illustrate the contrasting readability of Databases with and without Field Groups.

Without Field Groups

Without Field Groups, Fields in the database are displayed without any organisation.

• Model
• Series
• Colour
• Seating capacity
• Body type
• Trim
• Transmission type
• Engine
• Fuel type
• Front parking sensor
• Rear parking sensor
• Leather seats
• Heated seats
• Sunroof
• Power windows
• Power steering

With Field Groups

Using Field Groups, Fields in the database are organised for better readability. This method can be very helpful for users working on Databases with a very large number of Fields.

Vehicle (Field Group)

• Make
• Model
• Series
• Colour
• Seating capacity
• Body type
• Trim

Drivetrain (Field Group)

• Transmission type
• Engine
• Fuel type

Features (Field Group)

• Front parking sensor
• Rear parking sensor
• Leather seats
• Heated seats
• Sunroof
• Power windows
• Power steering

Adding a Field Group

1. Navigate to Databases from the main menu.
2. Select All Databases.
3. Find the Database that you want to make changes to and select its Configuration row action link.
4. Go to the 'Fields' tab on the 'Configuration' page.
5. Select ADD FIELD GROUP.
6. Input your preferred Field Group name.
7. Select the 'check' icon () to save the Field Group name as a draft.
8. Select SAVE to finalise the Field Group creation.

Editing a Field Group

1. Navigate to Databases from the main menu.
2. Select All Databases.
3. Find the Database that you want to make changes to and select its Configuration row action link.
4. Go to the 'Fields' tab on the 'Configuration' page.
5. Find the Field Group you want to edit and select its 'Edit' icon ().
6. Make changes to the Field Group name and click the 'Check' icon () to save the new Field Group name as a draft. Select the 'cross' icon () should you wish to cancel.
7. Select SAVE to finalise the Field Group creation.

Deleting a Field Group

1. Navigate to Databases from the main menu.
2. Select All Databases.
3. Find the Database that you want to make changes to and select its Configuration row action link.
4. Go to the 'Fields' tab on the 'Configuration' page.
5. Find the Field Group you want to delete and click on its 'trash bin' icon ().
6. Type 'DELETE' on the confirmation modal, then press the DELETE button on the modal to confirm Field Group deletion. This action removes the Field Group from the display panel but only from the Database once you save it.
7. Select SAVE to finalise the Field Group deletion.