---
title: "Batch Create Fields - Field Import Source Format"
slug: "batch-create-fields-field-import-source-format"
updated: 2026-02-16T22:26:55Z
published: 2026-02-16T22:26:55Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Batch Create Fields - Field Import Source Format

The Field Import source format, available in the Source Format Library, will create new fields, but it will not update existing fields. The Field Import source format has been made available for limited use cases, including institutions that have multiple instances of Slate that would like to copy fields created in one Slate instance to other Slate instances.

> [!TIP]
> **⭐ Best Practice:** Add fields individually using the Fields Database Tool to be sure that all settings for fields are compatible. The Field Configuration Review tool in the Standard Query Library can be used to manually review imported fields.

#### 📂 Download an example spreadsheet

There is an [Excel spreadsheet with the accepted column headers](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/field_import_template.xlsx) attached to this article.

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 **datetime** = Date/Time **real** = Real **int** = Int **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) |  |

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.

## Attachments

- [field_import_template.xlsx](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/field_import_template.xlsx)