If you are wondering what type of field to create for your application form (Custom Field, Qualification, General Interest), here are some questions to ask yourself:
Do I need to be able to enter specific text into the field? Custom Field
Do I need to make a value mandatory (required) when new volunteers fill in an application? Custom Field or Qualification
Do I need this field to be a prerequisite or essential skill for performing an Activity? Qualification
Do I need this field to determine whether or not an Activity is visible to a volunteer? Qualification
Does this skill or certification have an expiration date associated with it?Qualification
Is this something that I want to display as a series of checkboxes to prospective volunteers so that they can indicate their general areas of interest? General Interest
The following table should also help you in deciding whether or not to create a Custom Field, Qualification or General Interest.
Attribute | Custom Field | Qualification | General Interest |
Data input permitted? | Yes (for Short Text, Long Text, Number and Date fields) | No. Can only select from a list of values created. | No. Checkbox only. |
Data selection permitted? | Yes (for Yes/No, Droplist and Checkbox fields) | Yes (via droplist) | Yes (via checkbox) |
Data upload permitted? | Yes (for File fields) | No | No |
Data entry can have an expiration date? | No | Optional | No |
Visible on application form? | Optional (can specify on which application forms it will appear) | Optional (can specify on which application forms it will appear) | Optional (can specify if all interests will appear on all application forms) |
Required on application form? | Optional | Optional | No |
Ranked list of choices? | Alphabetical order (for Droplist fields) | Optional | No |
Hidden from volunteers? | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Read-only to volunteers? | Optional | Optional | No |
Approval required for data entry/updates? | Optional | Optional | No |
Can be grouped into categories? | Optional | No | No |