Compyle Field Types

An Illustrated Guide to Compyle's Field Types

Date Fields

Date fields collect date values in the format mm/dd/yyyy. Users can pick a date on the calendar or type in a date. The calendar typically defaults to today. These fields can be required.

Search: When searching by date, users can choose before, after, and between filters. 

Analytics: For Compylations, the calculation time period is always based on the built-in survey instance date for surveys/data tools and on the date of note built-in field for notes.  Custom date fields may only be used for counts in calculations.

 

Date Field - Data Entry with Calendar Open

Date Field with the Calendar Date Picker Open

 

Date Field - Data Entry Mode with Calendar Hidden

Date Field with an Date Entered

Data Update Fields (Surveys/data tools and Notes only)

Data Update Fields, also known as "Participant Data Fields", are a special type of field on surveys/data tools for allowing users to review and edit the information from their Participant or Organization form record.

When a change is made to the data in a Data Update Field on a survey or note, completing that record will update the information for the original field on the Participant or Organization form.

 

Data Update Field - Edit Field Mode

Data  Update Field in Edit Fields Mode

 Since these fields prepopulate with the entries from the Participant or Organization, Data Update Fields cannot be required.

 

Data Update Field - Data Entry Mode with Prefilled Data

Data Update Fields - Prefilled in Data Entry mode

Similarly, since the information ultimately is stored on the Participant or Organization form, Data Update fields cannot be used in compylations and calculations. 

 

Description Fields

Description fields are display only label fields. They can include rich text, images, links, emoticons, italics, bold, and other formatting options. These fields do not collect information, and they are not numbered the way data collection question fields are numbered automatically. Description fields are not searchable, cannot be used in analytics, and do not export. 

 

Description field - Edit Field Mode

Description Field Edit

Description field - Form View

Description Field Form Entry View

 

Short Answer (Single Line Text Field)

Short Answer text fields display a single line for entering a response. These fields will accept and retain more than one line of text. However, the smaller input area is designed to encourage shorter responses.

Short answer fields cannot be used in analytics.

Tip: If most of the likely answers are known for a field, but you want to allow "other" responses, you can use a single select radio button field type or multi-select checkbox with an "other" option instead. This will let you count the responses for each option in analytics.

Short Answer field - Edit Field Mode

 

Short Answer field - Data Entry Mode


Paragraph (Multiple Line Text Field)

Paragraph text fields display several lines for entering a response. This is to encourage users to enter more information. Users may enter and save up to 2 GB of characters in a one paragraph field answer. 

Paragraph fields cannot be used in analytics.

Paragraph field - Edit Field Mode

 

Paragraph field - Data Entry Mode

 

Option Fields


Single Choice (Radio Buttons) - Single Select

Radio button fields are option fields that accept only one selection.  The choices for the field are entered when creating the field, and they can be edited later.  Keep in mind that the options will appear on forms in the order that they are entered in the field properties. New options added later will be at the end of the list. An "Other" option can be added so that users can enter their own response. 

Radio button fields and other option type fields can be used to create compylations in analytics. If only text options are defined for an option type field, then the calculations will be limited to counts and percentages.  

Tip: Once a radio button option has been chosen, users cannot deselect it unless they choose another option.  In case of accidental selections, it is good to have a "not answered" option. This is why you will see fields with "Yes, No, Declined to Answer" as choices.

 

Radio Button field - Edit Field Mode

 

Radio Button field - Data Entry Mode

 


Single Choice (Radio Buttons) with Numeric Values - Single Select

Radio button fields with numeric values are option fields that accept only one selection which is saved as a whole number.  The text choices and number values for the field are entered when creating the field, and they can be edited later.  Keep in mind that the options will appear on forms in the order that they are entered in the field properties. New options added later will be at the end of the list. An "Other" option can be added, but it will not allow users to enter a numeric value. Instead, you will need to set the value for "Other"  in the field properties when you add that field option. 

Radio button fields and other option type fields can be used to create compylations in analytics. With numeric values, you can use the field in calculations in analytics. Like other numeric fields, you can use built-in standard calculations or create your own custom formula. 

Tip: Once a radio button option has been chosen, users cannot deselect it unless they choose another option.  In case of accidental selections, it is good to have a "no value - zero" option. This is why you will see fields with "Yes, No, Declined to Answer" as choices. 

 

Numeric Radio Button field - Edit Field Mode

Numeric Radio Button field - Data Entry Mode

(Numbers are only visible as they were added to the text option.)

 

Single Choice (Dropdown) - Single Select

Single choice dropdown fields are option fields that accept only one selection.  The choices for the field are entered when creating the field, and they can be edited later.  Keep in mind that the options will appear on forms in the order that they are entered in the field properties. New options added later will be at the end of the list. 

Single choice dropdown fields  and other option type fields can be used to create compylations in analytics. If only text options are defined for an option type field, then the calculations will be limited to counts and percentages. 

 

Single Choice Dropdown field - Edit Field Mode

Single Choice Dropdown field - Data Entry Mode - dropdown menu closed

Single Choice Dropdown field - Data Entry Mode - dropdown menu open

 

Single Choice (Dropdown) with Numeric Values - Single Select

Single choice dropdown fields with numeric values are option fields that accept only one selection which saves as a numeric value.  The choices for the field are entered when creating the field, and they can be edited later. The numeric values for the options will only be visible to users if you choose to include them in the text option.  Keep in mind that the options will appear on forms in the order that they are entered in the field properties. New options added later will be at the end of the list. 

Single choice dropdown fields  and other option type fields can be used to create compylations in analytics. With numeric values, you can use the field in calculations in analytics. Like other numeric fields, you can use built-in standard calculations or create your own custom formula. 

 

Numeric Single Choice Dropdown field - Edit Field Mode

 

Numeric Single Choice Dropdown field - Data Entry Mode - dropdown menu closed

Numeric Single Choice Dropdown field - Data Entry Mode - dropdown menu open

 

True/False

True/False fields are a special type of single choice radio button field with numeric values. They have two built-in options that cannot be edited or added to:

  • True = 1
  • False = 0

True/False fields and other option type fields can be used to create compylations in analytics. With numeric values, you can use the field in calculations in analytics. Like other numeric fields, you can use built-in standard calculations or create your own custom formula.

 

True/False field - Edit Field Mode

True/False field - Data Entry Mode

 

Multiple Choice (Check Boxes) - Multi-select field

Multiple choice checkbox fields are option fields that accept one or more selections.  The choices for the field are entered when creating the field, and they can be edited later.  Keep in mind that the options will appear on forms in the order that they are entered in the field properties. New options added later will be at the end of the list. 

These fields and other option type fields can be used to create compylations in analytics. If only text options are defined for an option type field, then the calculations will be limited to counts and percentages. Also, with multi-select fields, the total number of selected options can be greater than the number of surveys/records completed because users can choose more than one answer on the same record.

 

Multi-select Checkbox field - Edit Field Mode

Multi-select Checkbox field - Data Entry Mode

 


Multiple Choice (Check Boxes) with Numeric Values - Multi-select Field

Multiple choice checkbox fields with numeric values are option fields that accept one or more selections that are saved as numbers.  The choices for the field are entered when creating the field, and they can be edited later.  Keep in mind that the options will appear on forms in the order that they are entered in the field properties. New options added later will be at the end of the list. 

Multiple choice checkbox fields and other option type fields can be used to create compylations in analytics. If only text options are defined for an option type field, then the calculations will be limited to counts and percentages. Also, with multi-select fields, the total number of selected options can be greater than the number of surveys/records completed because users can choose more than one answer on the same record.

 

Numeric Multi-select Checkbox field -- Edit Field Mode

Numeric Multi-select Checkbox field - - Data Entry Mode

 


Multiple Choice (Multiselect) - Dropdown

Multiple choice multi-select dropdown fields are option fields that accept one or more selections.  The choices for the field are entered when creating the field, and they can be edited later.  Keep in mind that the options will appear on forms in the order that they are entered in the field properties. New options added later will be at the end of the list. 

Multiple choice multi-select dropdown fields and other option type fields can be used to create compylations in analytics. If only text options are defined for an option type field, then the calculations will be limited to counts and percentages. Also, with multi-select fields, the total number of selected options can be greater than the number of surveys/records completed because users can choose more than one answer on the same record.

 

Multiple choice multi-select dropdown field - Edit Field Mode

Multiple choice multi-select dropdown field - Data Entry Mode - dropdown closed

Multiple choice multi-select dropdown field - Data Entry Mode - dropdown open

Multiple Choice (Multiselect) with Numeric Values

Multiple choice multi-select dropdown fields with numeric values are option fields that accept one or more selections that are saved as numbers..  The choices for the field are entered when creating the field, and they can be edited later.  Keep in mind that the options will appear on forms in the order that they are entered in the field properties. New options added later will be at the end of the list. 

Multiple choice multi-select dropdown fields with numbers and other option type fields can be used to create compylations in analytics. If only text options are defined for an option type field, then the calculations will be limited to counts and percentages. Also, with multi-select fields, the total number of selected options can be greater than the number of surveys/records completed because users can choose more than one answer on the same record.

 

Numeric Multiple Choice Multi-select Dropdown field - Edit Field Mode

Numeric Multiple Choice Multi-select Dropdown field - Data Entry Mode - dropdown closed

Numeric Multiple Choice Multi-select Dropdown field - Data Entry Mode - dropdown open

 


Number Fields

Number fields are used to collect whole number and decimals, and all number fields will accept both types of numeric entries. This field type does not accept negative numbers or any symbols besides numbers and a period for decimals.

Number fields can be used in calculation field formulas, and the calculation results can be negative numbers or positive numbers. 

 

Number field - Edit Field Mode

Number field - Data Entry Mode

 

Range Fields

Range fields are numeric fields that only accept answers between a starting number (min value) and an ending number (max value). The range options are displayed as a number line with a slider. The step determines which numbers in the range that users can choose. Users can select the start value or end value for the range. Setting the step to 5 is the same as saying that numbers can only be chosen in increments of 5 between the minimum value and the maximum value, inclusively.  

Like other numeric fields, range fields can be used in calculation field formulas and in compylation calculations.

Tip: Range fields can save decimal values if the step is set to 0.25 or 0.50 or another decimal value. This is different from numeric values for option fields, which do not accept decimal values.

 

Range field - Edit Field Mode - new field

Range field - Edit Field Mode - field with options entered

Range field - Data Entry Mode

 

Custom Calculation Fields

Custom Calculation fields include a set of standard calculation types and fully customizable formulas. The built-in calculations automatically apply to all fields with the "Include in Calculations" field option selected.

All calculation fields are numeric and can be used in analytics. They can even be used in other calculations on the same form if the "Include in Calculations" option is selected for a calculation fields. 

 

Custom Calculation (Sum All) 

The Custom Calculation (Sum All) field adds up all fields included in calculations. The total only calculates once all of the fields are filled in.

All calculation fields are numeric and can be used in analytics. 

field - Edit Field Mode

field - Data Entry Mode

 

Custom Calculation (Avg All)

The Custom Calculation (Avg All) field adds up all fields included in calculations and then divides that total by the number of fields included. The overall average only calculates once all of the included fields are filled in.

All calculation fields are numeric and can be used in analytics. 

field - Edit Field Mode

field - Data Entry Mode


Custom Calculation (Min All)

The Custom Calculation (Min All) field captures the smallest value of all fields included in calculations. The minimum calculates once all of the included fields are filled in.

All calculation fields are numeric and can be used in analytics. 

field - Edit Field Mode

field - Data Entry Mode


Custom Calculation (Max All)

The Custom Calculation (Max All) field captures the largest value of all fields included in calculations. The maximum calculates once all of the included fields are filled in.

All calculation fields are numeric and can be used in analytics. 

field - Edit Field Mode

field - Data Entry Mode


Custom Calculation (Custom)

The Custom Calculation (Custom) field is for entering your own formula using any of the fields with the "Include in Calculations" option set along with numbers and mathematical operations. The build equation area is only updated using the buttons for the numbers, symbols, clear, and backspace. 

  • Add: +
  • Subtract: -
  • Multiply: *
  • Divide: /
  • Set order of operations: ( , )

All calculation fields are numeric and can be used in analytics. 

Tip: Only valid equations will save. You can click the checkmark next to the equation building window to have the system verify your calculation. A green check indicates that the calculation is accepted. 

field - Edit Field Mode - full field options

field - Edit Field Mode - Build Equation Detail

field - Data Entry Mode

Time Fields

Time fields collect hours and minutes in military time with hours from 1 to 23. This is the only format offered so there is no am/pm selection. 

Time fields cannot be used in calculation fields and cannot be used in analytics calculations.

 

field - Edit Field Mode

field - Data Entry Mode

 

 

 

System Fields

System fields are automatically captured for records in Compyle for all forms (entity records, notes, surveys). The only exceptions is the Source field which is only part of the Participant and Organization entity forms.

System fields can be exported. They are available as search filters.

System Field Usage Data Type
Created Date When the record was first entered into Compyle Date

Created By

The user who entered the record initially User Name
Modified By The user who last updated the record User Name
Modified Date The most recent time the record was saved or updated Date
Source

how the record was added to Compyle (only captured for records added after Dec. 1, 2022 on)

  • Participant (Self): The record was entered via a public form
  • External Referral: The “For Someone Else” option was used to create this record as part of a survey response
  • Import: The record was added to the system from a CSV file using the import tool
  • Compyle User: A user who was logged into the system created the record
Text

 

 

Special Entity Data Fields on Participant and Organization forms

These fields appear only on the entity form. Some fields are standard while others, like primary worker, are optional.

Participant Form Fields Organization Form Fields Description
Participant ID Organization ID Alpha-numeric ID, system generated or manually entered searchable
Profile Photo Organization Logo Image file upload, for search & folder thumbnails, not searchable
Email Address Email Domain identification, communication
Primary Worker   a list of users with the primary worker setting, creates a "My Cases" list for each user selected, searchable
  Primary Contact Linked participant connected to organization record

 

Special Survey/Data Tool Fields

E-signature (Name, relationship, date time, file attached)

Signature field - Data Entry Mode - Signature page of survey/data tool - with Create Signature popup details

 

Signature field - Saved Entry Mode