How to create and manage custom table fields

Question:  How do I create and manage custom table fields?
 
Product Details: 
Product Family:  Act!
Product: Act! Premium Plus
Version: v20.1
 

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Answer: 
 
Important Note: The process of creating or editing fields in a custom table will lock the database. It is strongly recommended that you ensure everyone is logged out of the database prior to working with custom table fields.
 
Note: Custom table fields cannot be created or managed in a remote database or offline client.
 
Creating new fields
 

1. Login to the database as an Administrator or Manager level user
2. Click Custom Tables &gt Manage Custom Tables
3. Select a table from the Load Table drop-down
4. Under Field Management, click Create Field
5. Enter a Field Name, and select a Field Type to match the data you wish to store
6. Check any Additional Settings that apply, then click Next
   
   Note: If you wish to use a drop-down list, you can use a pre-existing drop-down list that was originally created for use with Contacts, Groups, Companies, or Opportunities. If necessary, you can also create a brand new drop-down list by clicking “Manage dropdown lists”. For information on creating dropdown lists, refer to the following knowledgebase article:
   
   How to create and manage a drop-down list in Act!
   
    
7. If desired, specify a Default Value and set the Field Length (maximum number of characters allowed to be entered into the field)
8. If necessary, enable the Sequential Field option and configure the desired settings
   
   Note: For more information about how Sequential Fields work, and the settings available for them, refer to the following knowledgebase article:
   
   What are Sequential Fields in custom tables and how do they work?
   
    
9. Click Next, then Next again, then click Finish to create the field 

 
Editing existing fields
 
Note: You can only edit custom fields. The standard default fields that are created with a new custom table cannot be edited.
 

1. Click Custom Tables &gt Manage Custom Tables
2. Select a table from the Load Table drop-down
3. Select the field you want to edit
4. Under Field Management, click Edit Field
5. Make the desired changes, click Next until the Finish option is available, then click Finish

 
 
Deleting existing fields
 
Note: Deleting fields from custom tables will delete all data within the fields and cannot be undone. It is recommended that you create a backup of your database before deleting fields. For information regarding database backups, refer to the following knowledgebase article:
 
How to back up and restore an Act! database

 
 
To delete a field:
 

1. Click Custom Tables &gt Manage Custom Tables
2. Select a table from the Load table drop-down
3. Select the field you want to delete
4. Under Field Management, click Delete Field
5. When prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes to lock the database and delete the field
6. When the success notification appears, click OK