Special Input Types are advanced custom field types in SmartSimple that capture, structure, or map data the common input types cannot. These types include code set lookups, structured data tables, dynamic control fields, linked record lists, geographic mapping, question sets, and formatted rich text. Several require administrator access to enable.
Who: Global administrators
When to Use Custom Fields: Special Input Types
Use Special Input Types when:
- A record must store standardized medical or industry classification codes, such as ICD or NAICS codes, for compliance or reporting purposes.
- A record needs structured worksheets or itemized data, such as budget sheets or line-item lists.
- Users who are not administrators need to define their own questions and capture scored responses.
- A field needs in-field formatting, such as bold text, lists, or links.
How Special Input Types Work
Each special input type appears under the Special Input Types heading in the Field Type list and is selected when you create or edit a custom field. Like other custom fields, each one presents an interactive control in edit mode and shows its stored value in view mode.
Special input types differ from common input types in what they store. Some hold standardized classification codes, some store structured data such as tables and worksheets, some control or display related records, and some let users build their own question sets.
Code Set Lookup Field Types
Code set lookup field types provide built-in, searchable code libraries for categorizing records. Each one is its own field type, and users find a code by entering either the code or a description and selecting a match from the list. Available code set lookup fields include Lookup - MeSH Codes, Lookup - ICD Codes, Lookup - NAIC Codes, Lookup - NACE 2.0 Codes, and Lookup - NACE 2.1 Codes.
Data Table Field Types
Data table field types store structured, tabular data directly on a record, such as budget sheets, worksheets, or itemized lists. The two types differ mainly in configuration depth and reporting support.
- Special - Advanced Data Table - Creates structured worksheets and tables using configurable sections, dynamic rows, and cell calculations, and can display related Level 2 or Level 3 records within a parent record.
- Special - Basic Data Table - Displays inline on the record as a simplified table that opens within the current form and does not support reporting on its entered data.
Rich Text Field Type
The Special - Rich Text field is a text box paired with the HTML Editor, letting users format content with a toolbar that includes fonts, lists, links, and tables. It is useful for formatted content but has entry, export, and performance considerations to review before choosing it.
Dynamic Control Field Types
Dynamic control field types show or hide sets of dependent fields based on the value a user selects. The controlling value comes from either a dynamic drop-down list or a set of dynamic radio buttons.
- Select One - Dynamic Dropdown List - Establishes a set of fields that depend on the value selected from a dynamic drop-down list.
- Select One - Dynamic Radio Buttons - Establishes a set of fields that depend on the value selected from a set of dynamic radio buttons.
Record and Map Field Types
Record and map field types connect a record to other records, locations, or user-defined questions. Some display related records for viewing and selection, others plot geographic locations, and others let non-administrators build and score their own question sets.
- Special - Linked Record List - Lets users view, select, and add related records to a Level 1 record without leaving the page, including users, organizations, and Level 2 activities.
- Special - Geo Mapping - Identifies and highlights selected geographic locations on a map.
- Special - Question Set Builder - Lets users who are not Global Administrators build their own set of questions on a record, with responses stored in child records and optional scoring.
Resources
For more information about Special Input Types Custom Field, see: