Fields are the building blocks of data capture in Uncountable. Each definition is configured with its own unique set of fields, which vary based on the definition type. For example, a Lab Request definition might include fields like Lab, Lead, and Desired End Date, while an Approval definition could feature fields such as Request User, Request Time, and Justification.
Field types are flexible and include formats:
- Number
- Text
- Date and time
- Notes
- Single Entity (List)
- Multiple Entity (List)
- Links
- Attachments
Once a field has been added to a definition, they can be further within the Field Overrides, Format Overrides, and Constraints tabs. Here, admin users can:
- Adjust field display and render settings
- Apply constraints to control when the field appears or can be edited
- Make them required or prompted for at the time of entity creation
Note that the settings applied here are specific to this definition. To configure settings that apply globally—across all instances where the field is used—you’ll need to update the field directly from the Fields tab of the Form Admin page. Learn more.
In this article, we’ll walk through how to add and configure fields using a lab request definition as an example—but the same steps apply to all definition types in the platform.
Adding Fields to a Definition
Fields are added directly to groups within a definition. If a field is added without selecting a group, it will be placed into an unnamed inline group by default. Learn more about groups.
Once you’ve added a group, you can begin adding fields to capture the information users can enter. To do so, take the following steps:
- Open the Structure tab of your definition.
- Click into the group where you’d like to place the field.
- In the top Form menu, select Fields.
- Choose one of the following options:
- Existing Field (A): Select from a list of fields already created in the platform.
- Create New Field (B): Define a new field from scratch.
Field Display Settings
Display settings on individual fields are configurable within the Format Override tab. Format overrides allow you to control how a field is displayed within a lab request and on exports. In the Format Override tab, users can configure the following:
- Render: Adjusts how a field is displayed on the entity. For example, a field can be rendered as a dropdown, URL link, a read-only entity link, or plain text.
- Export Render: Defines how the field renders when exported.
- Field Size: Sets the width of the field—Wide (4 spaces), Medium (2 spaces), or Narrow (1 space). For example, a Batch Size field can be resized to fit inline with its group or expanded to take up the full page width.
- Render Behavior: Modifies field display based on context and constraints.
- Decorations: Adds visual elements or enhancements to the field.
For example, the GHS field displays as a dropdown selection menu by default when added to a lab request definition. Using the Render display setting however, users can configure the field to display as pictograms instead. Learn more about displaying GHS fields as pictograms.
