Custom fields and their values can be quickly transferred between workspaces in your org using the import/export feature. By exporting a set of custom fields from an established workspace and bringing them into a new one, you can create a "template" that is transferrable across multiple workspaces or reporting cycles — significantly simplifying the implementation process for your company.
Note: This feature is currently only available as part of an Early Adopter Program. If you're interested in using custom fields within your workspace, contact your Customer Success Manager to discuss program participation.
Requirements
- The Custom Field Admin role is required to modify custom field groups and definitions. This also applies to API users.
- Owner or Editor permissions are required to manage a file's custom field values.
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Owner permissions are required to manage a file's custom field group.
Import and export custom fields
When setting up a workspace in your organization, custom fields can be exported from an existing workspace and imported into the new one via downloadable JSON file.
Note: Custom field values set in the original workspace will not carry over to the destination workspace unless an identical custom field already exists. You can import and export custom field values separately using the steps below.
From the Custom Fields screen:
- Select at least one file using the checkboxes on the left side.
- Click the Export button next at the upper left of the screen.
- Click Export once again to download the JSON file to your computer.
From the Custom Fields screen:
- Click Create > Import custom field.
- Drag and drop a file from your desktop, or click to find the file in a particular folder.
- Click Import to complete.
Note: After importing a custom field, you can customize it's properties by selecting Edit from the three-dot menuon the right side.
Import and export custom field values
As one reporting cycle ends and another begins, you can ensure the accuracy of your data by rolling forward custom field values from an existing workspace to a new one. Importing and exporting in this manner also allows you to bulk update multiple custom field values at once, making mid-cycle process changes simpler than ever.
- Find the file with the custom fields you wish to export, select the three-dot menuon the right side, and click Export custom field values.
- Click Download in the bottom right to download the .zip file to your hard drive.
Before importing your custom fields values, unzip the file exported from the source workspace and verify all required fields are included in the .csv files. This should include an Object Type, Object ID, Parent Object ID, and at least one Field ID that will be updated.
We additionally recommend saving a copy of your current document. The import process will permanently overwrite any existing values and it cannot be undone.
Note: If a blank Field ID is uploaded, it will overwrite any existing values in those fields.
To import custom field values:
- Select Create > Import > Custom Fields.
- Click the Drop file here or click to upload button to locate the .csv file on your computer, or drag and drop it. Click Next.
Note: Only one file can be uploaded at a time. If your file contains multiple .csv files, each one must be uploaded separately.
- Click Finish import.
Formatting
The custom field type selected when first setting up a new custom field defines which inputs or values it will accept. The following formats are accepted:
- Text/String
- List
- Integer (A whole number; e.g., 1 or -1)
- Number (Any numeric value; e.g., 1.1 or -1.1)
- Boolean (true or false)
Note: Boolean fields are case sensitive and must be entered entirely in lower case: true or false
- Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
- User (Workiva user ID)
Things to know
- When using Excel auto format, dates are formatted to MM/DD/YYYY. You may need to apply a custom Excel format before importing.