How do we create our own fields in the environment?

In this article, we explain how to extend the Engage Process platform by creating custom fields. These fields allow you to capture additional data in processes and process steps beyond the standard fields available in the Modeler.

Custom fields are created in the Admin Center, but become available as selectable fields within the Engage Process Modeler.

Quick navigation

• How do I create a new field?

• How do I create a table?

• How do I make the field and table available in the Modeler?

How do I create a new field?

To create a new custom field, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Admin Center.

2. Select Tables from the menu on the left.

Note
If you do not see the Tables section, you are not authorised.
Ask your application administrator to assign you the Tables Manager role.

1. In the Table types section, click New table type (top left).

2. The New table type window opens. Complete the following fields:
   

Field settings

• Name
  Enter the name of the field. This name will be visible in the Modeler.

• Based on
  If the field should behave like the default Documents field, select Documents.

• Scope
  Define where the field should be available in the Modeler:

  • Steps

    • All step types: available on every process step

    • Activities: available for activities with a role and for automatic activities

  • Processes
    Available at process level (select the process name in the Project window to view properties)

  • Item properties
    Allows the field to be used as a column in another central table

  • Input / Output
    Enables table values to be selected as input or output in the Properties window

• Properties

  • Add cost
    Enables cost calculation per table value (per hour or per unit).
    When enabled, an extra column appears for entering rates. These costs are used in process analysis.

Adding columns to the table type

At the bottom of the window, define the table columns:

• Name
  The column name

• Type
  The data type (e.g. text, number, URL)

• Value

  • Fixed – value cannot be changed by the Modeler user

  • Contextual – value can be modified by the Modeler user
    (a predefined value is shown as the default)

1. Click OK to create the field.

How do I create a table?

A custom field requires at least one table to store data.

1. Go to the Admin Center.

2. Select Tables from the left menu.

Note
If you do not see this section, request the Tables Administrator role.

1. In the Tables section, click New table (top right).

2. Enter a table name and click OK.

3. An empty row appears at the bottom of the table.

   • After entering a value in a column, a new row is automatically added.

How do I make the field and table available in the Modeler?

To use the custom field and its tables in the Modeler, perform the following steps once per project:

1. Open the project in the Engage Process Modeler.

2. Go to the Tables tab.

3. Click Retrieve tables.

4. Select the table(s) you want to link to the project.

The field now appears:

• In the Tables folder of the Project window

• Automatically in the Modeler, based on the configured Scope