Build apps
Field types
Every field has a type. The type decides what the field holds, how people enter it on each device, how it shows in views, how it's sent in the REST API, and what expressions see. This list is generated from appTown itself, so it is always complete.
#Text
| Type | Holds |
|---|---|
| Text | A short line of text |
| Long text | Several lines of text |
| Rich text | Formatted text |
| An email address | |
| Phone | A phone number |
| Link to a website | A web address |
| Color | A color, like #3366ff |
| JSON | Structured data for integrations |
#Number
| Type | Holds |
|---|---|
| Number | A number, with the decimals, minimum and maximum you set |
| Price | An amount in a currency |
| Percent | A number shown as a percentage |
| Rating | Stars |
| Auto number | Counts up for each new record |
#Choice
| Type | Holds |
|---|---|
| Checkbox | Yes or no |
| Single select | One option from a list |
| Multiple select | Several options from a list |
| Button | Runs an automation on the record |
#Date and time
| Type | Holds |
|---|---|
| Date | A day of the calendar, without a time |
| Date and time | Shown in each user's timezone |
| Time | A time of day |
| Duration | A length of time |
#Links and people
| Type | Holds |
|---|---|
| Link to another table | Records of another table (a relationship) |
| Person | People who use the app |
#Files and media
| Type | Holds |
|---|---|
| File | Attachments, up to 20 MB each |
| Image | Photos and pictures |
| Signature | Drawn by hand |
#Location
| Type | Holds |
|---|---|
| Location | An address or place on a map |
#Calculated
| Type | Holds |
|---|---|
| Formula | Calculated from other fields |
| Created at | When the record was added |
| Updated at | When the record last changed |
| Created by | Who added the record |
| Updated by | Who last changed the record |
| Record ID | The record's unique ID |
#Notes on some types
#Select options
Single and multiple select options each have a label and a colour (blue, green, orange,
purple, pink, teal, yellow, red or gray). Records store the option's ID, so relabelling an
option keeps every record that has it. Expressions compare with the label:
[Status] = "Done".
#Link to another table
Links make relationships. In expressions, follow a link with a dot:
[Customer].[Email]. A link that allows several gives a list.
#Person
Person fields pick from the people who can use the app and store their email, so
someone you share the app with later already matches. Compare with USEREMAIL() to find
"my" records: [Assigned to] = USEREMAIL().
#Files, images and signatures
Uploads go to private storage, up to 20 MB per file, and are shown only to people who may see the record. Signatures are drawn by hand on the screen. On phones, image fields can take a photo straight away.
#Date and time, time and duration
Date and time values are stored once and shown in each person's own timezone (set in Settings → Profile). Date has no time and no timezone. Duration is a length of time, shown in the unit you pick.
#Location
An address or a place, searched as you type and shown on map views. Use my location fills it from the device.
#Calculated fields
Formula, Created at, Updated at, Created by, Updated by and Record ID are filled by appTown, never typed. Formulas are calculated when a record is saved, and again when a record they read through a link changes. See Expressions.
#Button
A button on each record that runs an automation. You choose its label and who may press it.