CiviCRM comes installed with a comprehensive set of 'generic' contact data fields for three classes of contacts:
- Individuals
- Organizations
- Households
This includes the ability to store multiple postal addresses, emails, phone numbers, etc. for each contact record. However, each installation is likely to have additional 'custom' contact information requirements.
(A) Review "standard" CiviCRM fields and determine which ones you will use
Standard CRM information (phone numbers, addresses, emails, etc.) should always be stored in the CiviCRM fields and NOT in custom fields. You can examine the standard fields by creating a new contact of each type (individual, organization, household).
Organizations with unique needs can define custom location types to store their unique location data seperately from that standard Home and Work locations.
To create a new location type:
- Follow the "Administer CiviCRM" link from the main menu
- Click on the "Location Types (Home, Work...)" Icon
- Click on the "» New Location Type" hyperlink at the bottom of the list of location types to create a new one.
(B) Make a list of the custom data fields you need
| Field |
Individual |
Organization |
Household |
All |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
If I were going to record some custom fields to gather information about CiviCRM consultants, I might add the fields below.
| Field |
Individual |
Organization |
Household |
All |
Notes |
| Services |
X |
X |
|
|
Check Boxes: Installation, Custom Development, Hosting |
| Focus |
X |
X |
|
|
Check Boxes: Political Campains, Advocacy, Fundraising |
|
(C) Create Custom Fields
- Follow the "Administer CiviCRM" link from the main menu
- Click on the "Custom Data" Icon
Custom data is created in groups of custom data field.
- First create a new "Custom Data Group".
- From the list of Custom Data Groups, select "View and Edit Custom Fields"
- Click "» New Custom Field" at the end of the list of custom fields for that group.
Custom data is displayed in the individual, organizational or household CRM record.
Other Resources
Administrator Guide
http://objectledge.org/confluence/display/CRM/Configure+Custom+Data
From the Community:
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