Custom Fields User Guide

Custom fields allow you to customize the contact form that guests fill out during the reservation process. These fields can also be used internally for tracking purposes, where certain fields are hidden from the guest and used only for internal records.

Table of Contents

  1. Overview of Custom Fields
  2. Adding and Editing Custom Fields
  3. Field Types and Their Setup
    1. Text Box
    2. Radio Buttons
    3. Checkboxes
    4. Drop Down
    5. Drop Down Number Selection
    6. Date Custom Fields
    7. Image Upload
    8. Signature Box
  4. Additional Options for Custom Fields
    1. Required Fields
    2. Merge Codes
    3. Sort Order
    4. Reservation Pages
    5. Advanced Settings

1. Overview of Custom Fields

The Custom Fields overview screen allows you to see all fields you’ve added to your account. For each custom field, you’ll see:

  • Field Description: The name or question associated with the field.
  • Field Type: The type of field (e.g., text box, radio buttons, etc.).
  • Required for Public Reservations: Indicates whether the field is required on the public reservation form.
  • Required for Internal Reservations: Indicates whether the field is required when creating a reservation manually.

2. Adding and Editing Custom Fields

To add or edit a custom field:

  1. Adding a Custom Field: Click on the “Add Custom Field” button. You’ll be prompted to select a field type and enter the required information.
  2. Editing a Custom Field: Click on an existing custom field to edit its settings. When editing, you’ll see options specific to the type of field you’ve selected.

3. Field Types and Their Setup

Each custom field type offers a unique way to collect data. Below are the most common types of custom fields and instructions on how to configure them:

Text Box

Description: A single-line text field where guests can enter a response.

Setup:

  1. Enter your question or prompt in the Label field. This will appear above the text box.

Radio Buttons

Description: A set of options where guests can select one option.

Setup:

  1. Enter your question in the Label field.
  2. In the Values field, enter the options separated by a #. Example: `Option 1#Option 2#Option 3`.

Checkboxes

Description: A list of options where guests can select multiple options.

Setup:

  1. Enter your question in the Label field.
  2. In the Values field, enter the options separated by a #. Example: `Option 1#Option 2#Option 3`.

Drop Down

Description: A dropdown list of options from which the guest can select one.

Setup:

  1. Enter your question in the Label field.
  2. In the Values field, enter the options separated by a #.

Drop Down Number Selection

Description: A special dropdown field that allows a range of numbers to be selected.

Setup:

  1. Enter the Start, Stop, and optional Increment values, all separated by commas. Example: `1,10,1` for numbers 1 to 10 with an increment of 1.

Date Custom Fields

Description: Fields for selecting dates in various formats.

Setup: Choose from the available date formats:

  • Month and Year
  • Day, Month, Year
  • Day and Month
  • Day, Month, Year (full)

Image Upload

Description: A field that allows guests to upload an image with their reservation.

Setup: Select the image upload field and provide any necessary instructions.

Signature Box

Description: A box where guests can draw their signature.

Setup: Select the signature box field type and set any relevant options.

4. Additional Options for Custom Fields

Each custom field offers additional options for customization. These options allow you to control how the field appears and behaves:

Required Fields

You can set a field as Required for both public reservations and internal reservation details.

To set a field as required: Check the appropriate box in the field settings.

Merge Codes

You can use Merge Codes to include the custom field data in email templates. Enter your own merge code in the corresponding field, and it will pull the data when used in the template.

Sort Order

You can change the order in which the custom fields appear in the contact form. Adjust the Sort Order to position fields according to your preference.

Reservation Pages

Choose on which reservation pages the custom field should appear. Use the checkboxes to select one or more reservation pages where the field should be shown.

Advanced Settings

Unit-Based Custom Fields: In the Advanced Settings, you can configure the custom field to show only when certain conditions are met (e.g., when a pet-friendly room is selected). This is useful for displaying fields like “Type of Pet” only for guests reserving pet-friendly rooms.