Batch Create Fields - Field Import Source Format

The Field Import source format, available in the Source Format Library, creates new fields but does not update existing fields. This source format is intended for very specific use, including institutions that have multiple instances of Slate that would like to copy fields created in one Slate instance to other Slate instances.

⭐ Best practice
Add fields individually in Database → Fields to be sure that all settings for fields are compatible. Use the Field Configuration Review tool in the Standard Query Library to manually review imported fields.

Download an example spreadsheet

There is an Excel spreadsheet with the accepted column headers attached to this article.

Columns and values

Please see the following table for column descriptions and value instructions:

Column	Description	Data Type	Option Values
`id`	Field ID	String (max: 32 characters)
`multiple`	Store multiple values	Bit	`1` = Multiple Values `0` = Single Value
`prompt`	Prompt Key	String (max: 32 characters)
`value`	Store value or prompt ID	Bit	`0` = Store Prompt ID `1` = Store Value (bit/language/state/country/user prompts and text fields only)
`name`	Field Name	String
`order`	Display Order	Integer
`dataset`	Dataset ID (for field scoped to a dataset) To locate the ID of a dataset: Click Database > Datasets > Select the appropriate dataset and copy the ID	Uniqueidentifier
`entity`	Entity ID (for field scoped to an entity) To locate the ID of an entity: Click Database > Entities > Select the appropriate entity and copy the ID	Uniqueidentifier
`type`	Data Type	String (case-sensitive)	blank (null) = Text/Unspecified `email` = Email Address `tel` = Telephone `date` = Date `datetime` = Date/Time `real` = Real `int` = Integer `C` = Checkboxes `M` = Multiline `X` = Related Dataset Row `K` = Dataset Row Key `N` = Dataset Row Name `A` = Dataset Row Address `L` = Dataset Row Location `I` = Dataset Row Interactions `Q` = Dataset Row Query
`length`	Size	Integer
`active`	Active Status	Bit	`1` = Active `0` = Inactive
`rel_dataset`	Related Dataset ID	Uniqueidentifier
`mask`	Format Mask	String (max: 16 characters)
`suggest`	Autosuggest	String (max: 32 characters)
`tab`	Custom Tab	String (max: 32 characters)
`right_read`	Read Permission (ID of permission)	Uniqueidentifier
`right_write`	Write Permission (ID of permission)	Uniqueidentifier
`scope`	Scope	String (case-sensitive) - The scope setting is case-sensitive - 'Application' must be listed in the spreadsheet as 'application.'	blank (null) = person or dataset address application entity school test job material reference interest report relation sport course
`group`	Group on tab (deprecated)	String (max: 32 characters)
`unsafe`	Unsafe	Bit	`1` = Unsafe `0` = Safe
`appendable`	Appendable	Bit	`1` = Append to existing values upon form submission or dataset import `0` = Replace existing values upon form submission or dataset import
`unique`	Unique for Merging	Bit	`1` = Value contains a unique ID which identifies a single record for merging `0` = Do not use value for merging
`ordered`	Ordered values	Bit	`1` = Ordered values `0` = Unordered values
`category`	Category	String (max: 32 characters)

Why weren’t any rows imported?

Once the import has completed, the Status will update to Completed. This source format is special and does not update person or dataset records. Therefore, the Rows Imported value will display 0. Rest assured that if the import's status is Completed, the data was updated, so be sure to check the fields to confirm the changes.