How to create schema fields

Once a data source is created, you can populate it with content consisting of schemas and items. This article explains how to set up the schema of the data source. 

What is a schema?

A schema is a set of instructions that determine what information will be stored in a particular data source column and the type of data that the information will take the form of. Within a schema, you will have the ability to create the columns of a data source that hold different types of data such as normal text, numbers, images, languages, or a reference to another data source. Data sources are structured like relational databases meaning that one data source can be referenced by one or several other data sources.

What are the different schema field types? 

When you add a schema to a data source you are presented with various types of fields, each explained below:

• Text
• Number
• Image
• Reference

Text

A Text schema allows you to add items with text string:

Number

A Number schema allows you to add items with numbers:

Image

An Image schema allows you to upload images to the data source. Check this article to learn more around how to upload images to data sources.

Reference

One type of data that can be specified in a schema is a reference. Selecting reference allows the user to refer to another data source for the value in the current data source. The rule of thumb for using references is that, when building a data source, if you find yourself manually filling in the same fields with the same value, it is a good idea to build a new data source for that value and refer to it in other data sources. 

When setting up a reference in a schema, once the Type has been selected, you will be presented with another drop down of the other data sources that exist in the tenant. Choose the data source to refer to, whether it is a required field or a default value for the column (not required).

Below is an example of the Name data source referring to the Languages data source:

How to create schema fields in a data source

1. Select the data source.
2. Open the Schema tab.
3. Click + Add field.
4. Fill in the schema field:
   • Name: name of the column.
   • Type: data type (Text, Number, Image, Reference).
   • Required: mandatory value when creating items.
   • Multiple lines: to support multiple lines. 

     Important Multiple lines is only applicable for the data type Text.

   • Default Value: default value when creating items.
5. Click Add.

Content (items) of a data source

Now that you have created your data source and its schema, you can add items to this data source.

1. Select the data source.
2. Click Open data source:
   
3. Click + Create.
4. Fill in the desired/required information.
5. Click Create.