Field
One piece of information about a thing, like a customer's email, stored as a column and often typed into a form.
SPECIMEN · DIAGRAM · COMPARE
In the database
- A column
- Has a type: text, number, date
- Required or optional
On screen
- An input in a form
- Label + validation
- Placeholder text
Definition
What it is
A field is a single labeled value: email, due date, price, status. In the database it's a column; on screen it's often an input in a form.
Fields have types: text, number, date, yes/no, a choice from a list. Saying the type matters: "price in dollars with cents", "status: one of Draft, Sent, Paid", "due date (optional)". It prevents bugs like prices stored as text.
Say which fields are required and which are optional.
Say it like a builder
How to ask for it
Vague
“Add a place to put the deadline.”
Why it works
"A place to put" leaves type and display open; naming the field with its type, optionality, and display removes the guesswork.
In the wild
You've seen this in
- AThe Email field on any sign-up form
- AColumns in an Airtable base
- HCustom fields in HubSpot
Usage note