Field Types

Understanding Field Types


Fields

are the building blocks of your data - like columns in a database or form inputs.

Each Field Type helps you capture and store information in the right format, making your collections

accurate, relevant and easy to use.


How do I know which field type to use?

When creating a new field, Kinabase will suggest a field type based on the name you give it.

Think first about the type of data you want to store - freeform text, numbers, dates, files, etc. - and how you need to interact with it.

For example,

  • if you just need to type in any text, use a Text field;
  • if you need a numeric value (like currency or ratings), go for Numeric fields;
  • for dates or durations, use Date & Time fields; if you’re uploading documents or images, pick File fields;
  • if it’s about choosing from a list, use Choice fields; and so on.

If you want data that’s automatically calculated, or pulled from another collection, look at Computed or Collections fields.

By matching the data’s purpose with these categories, you’ll quickly land on the right field for the job.


Text Fields

Allow free-form text input, with optional rich formatting and specialised text formats (e.g., emails, websites).

Text field types

Field TypeDescriptionExamples
TextA simple text input where you can write any characters, numbers, and spaces.John Doe, example text, hello world
Rich TextA text input where you can add formatting like bold, italics, underline, and bullet points.Rich Text Example, Rich Italic
Email AddressAn input specifically for email addresses, allowing one-click to send an email.john.doe@example.com, jane@example.co
WebsiteAn input specifically for website URLs, automatically adding a hyperlink.https://www.example.com, www.example.org
Phone NumberAn input specifically for phone numbers (also appears under Numeric).+1-555-1234, (123) 456-7890, +44 07343012 #123
Computed (Text)Dynamically generated text using other fields in the record (concatenation, etc.).e.g.
Invoice#{Order_ID}

Numeric Fields

Store numeric values (including currency, rating, percentages) and optionally calculate them automatically.

Numeric field types

Field TypeDescriptionExamples
NumberA numeric input that accepts only numbers (decimals or integers).42, 3.14, -10
RatingA rating input for whole numbers; can be shown as stars, slider, or radio buttons (also appears under Choice).2, 10, 0
PercentageA numeric input representing a percentage (not strictly limited to 0–100%).99%, 50%, 1%, 120%
ProbabilityA numeric input for likelihood of an event, often expressed as a percentage.100% (Certain), 50%
CurrencyA numeric input representing money or monetary values.£100, $250, €1,000
Phone NumberAn input for phone numbers. Listed here if your system allows storing them numerically (also in Text).+1-555-1234, +44 7331
Computed (Number)A number that is calculated from other fields (using a formula).e.g. sum(Quantity × Price)

Measurement Fields

Record physical or scientific quantities (e.g., length, weight, volume) with associated units.

Measurement field types

Field TypeDescriptionExamples
LengthA numeric input for length (e.g., meters, km, mm).1.5m, 2.5km
Distance (mileage)A numeric input for distance in miles.1.5mi, 500mi
AreaA numeric input for area (e.g., m², km², ha).3m², 33ha
VolumeA numeric input for volume (e.g., liters, cubic meters).1.5m³, 3L
WeightA numeric input for weight/mass (e.g., kg, lb).1.5kg, 340kg
DurationA numeric input representing a length of time in hours/minutes (also appears in Date & Time).1h 45m, 30m
Scientific TimeA numeric input for time intervals in seconds, milliseconds, etc.1.5s, 2ms
DataA numeric input representing a data size (e.g., bytes, KB, MB, GB).1.5MB, 2GB
AngleA numeric input for angles, in degrees.45°, 180°, 360°
CurrentA numeric input for electric current, in amps.1.5A, 2.3mA
VoltageA numeric input for electric voltage, in volts.4.5V, 255kV
ChargeA numeric input for electric charge, in coulombs.1.5C, 20µC
EnergyA numeric input for energy, in joules.1.5J, 20kJ
PowerA numeric input for power, in watts.1.5W, 2.3kW
ResistanceA numeric input for electrical resistance, in ohms.333Ω, 1kΩ
CapacitanceA numeric input for electrical capacitance, in farads.1.5F, 2.3mF
InductanceA numeric input for electrical inductance, in henrys.1.5H, 2.3mH
FrequencyA numeric input for frequency, in hertz (Hz).1.5Hz, 2.3kHz

Date & Time Fields

Capture specific dates, times, or date ranges for scheduling or historical references.

Date & time field types

Field TypeDescriptionExamples
DateA date input with a calendar picker.20/12/2020, 04/07/2021, 31/10/1995
Date + TimeA combined date/time input with a calendar and time picker.20/12/2020 14:30, 04/07/2021 09:15
MonthA date field restricted to just month and year.December 2020, July 2021
YearA date field restricted to just the year.1857, 2021, 1985
DurationTime in days/hours/minutes, used for billing or scheduling (also appears in Measurements).1 hour 45 min, 30 minutes
Date RangeTwo date/time inputs indicating a start and end time (time span).20/12/2020 14:30 to 04/07/2021 09:15

Location Fields

Store geographical or address information, often integrated with maps.

Location field types

Field TypeDescriptionExamples
LocationAn input for geographic or physical addresses (maps, lat/long).1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC, 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, etc.

Choice Fields

Provide predefined lists of options (single or multiple) for consistent, categorical data entry.

Choice field types

Field TypeDescriptionExamples
Yes / NoA true/false or binary toggle.True, False, Yes, No
SelectA dropdown menu to choose one option from a predetermined list.To Do → Doing → Done
Multi-SelectA dropdown menu to choose multiple options from a predetermined list.Red, Blue, Green
RatingA rating input for whole numbers; can be stars, sliders, or radio buttons (also appears under Numeric).2, 10, 0



People Fields

Link records to one or multiple users or colleagues

within your organisation.

People field types

Field TypeDescriptionExamples
ColleagueA single user in your system (link to the colleague record).John Doe, Jane Smith, Bob Johnson
ColleaguesA list of users (links to multiple colleague records).John, Jane, Bob (multiple selections)

File Fields

Upload and manage files or images, either singly or in bulk.

File field types

Field TypeDescriptionExamples
FileA single file upload (document, image, spreadsheet, etc.).example.docx, image.png, spreadsheet.xlsx
ImageA single image upload (with optional device camera capture).photo.jpg
FilesMultiple files can be uploaded.example.docx, image.png, spreadsheet.xlsx
ImagesMultiple images can be uploaded.photo1.jpg, photo2.png

Compliance Fields

Represent and calculate risk scores or compliance metrics.

Compliance field types

Field TypeDescriptionExamples
Risk ScoreA risk score calculated from likelihood/impact (or other formula) to gauge risk severity.Low, Medium, High, Critical

Computed Fields

Dynamically generate or aggregate values from other fields, including text, numeric, or date data.

Computed field types

Field TypeDescriptionExamples / Notes
Computed (Text)Text automatically generated from other fields (string concatenation, templates, etc.).Full Name = First Name + " " + Last Name
Computed (Number)A numeric field automatically calculated from other fields (formula).Subtotal = Quantity × Unit Price
Computed (Date)A date/time field automatically calculated based on other fields.Expiry Date = Start Date + 30 Days
Computed (Select)An option field selected based on logic or formula.Status = if(Score >= 80, "High", "Low")
LookupCopies values from a related record in a different collection (linked collection).“Customer Email” field pulled from a Customer record.
AggregationA numeric or statistical result derived from multiple related records in a linked collection (e.g., sum).Order Total = SUM(All Items' Price)
Aggregation (Date)The earliest or latest date from related records in a linked collection.“Most recent event date” across multiple child records.

To learn more about Computed Fields

, check out the Computed Fields section.


Collections Fields

Reference data from linked collections, enabling lookups and aggregations across related records.

Collection field types

Field TypeDescriptionExamples
Linked Collection Fields (various)Special fields generated based on which other collections are linked. They allow referencing other data.E.g., referencing “Projects” from a Task.

Linking collections is very powerful, meaning that you can connect your records easily & only have to put in that piece of information once! To learn more please read our Linked Collections section.


With the right Field Types, you'll make sure each record in Kinabase stores data efficiently and precisely.

It'll pave the way for strong, flexible collections that match your unique business needs.