# Adding custom fields

{% hint style="info" %}
Custom fields can only be added by an Administrator.
{% endhint %}

Custom fields allow you to add a new, **registry-wide** field to metadata items that aren't included in the ISO 11179 standard.

### How to add a custom field <a href="#how_to_add_a_custom_field" id="how_to_add_a_custom_field"></a>

1. Select 'Administrator tools' from your Dashboard side panel, then 'Manage Custom Fields'.

<figure><img src="/files/7m8srra65y4Y8Y0gFluu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. **If you wish to add a custom field usable by all metadata item types,** select 'Edit' from the '*All*' row. **If you wish to add a custom field usable only by a single metadata item type*****,*** select 'Edit' from the row matching the desired metadata item type.

<figure><img src="/files/W6K2xYNHhtCKIDwsE6WX" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Select 'Add Custom Field for \[*chosen metadata item type(s)*]'.

<figure><img src="/files/p0c14cWs2DWpaPHVsXZY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Enter a name, value type, and system name into the 'Name', 'Type' and 'System name' fields respectively, along with optional help text in the 'Help text' field if desired.

<figure><img src="/files/dT2q1OIOsN1a70N6Rf4H" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Use the 'Visibility' dropdown to select what roles the custom field will be visible to, and the 'State' dropdown to enable or disable the field for use in the registry.

<figure><img src="/files/KSUHJEMmFGABfy5XUDnh" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. Select 'Submit Edits' when you are satisfied.

<figure><img src="/files/qbfpFZgsrsLnrTF5YmUW" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

7. Once saved, your custom fields will appear in the 'Slots' tab of the metadata item editor when creating or editing an item.

<figure><img src="/files/bKQIRsyTlpavnvlbrObv" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Note:** Upon creation, custom fields will not be searchable. A [reindex task](/administrator-tasks/task-runner/resolving-issues-with-search-using-reindex.md) must be completed in order to search for a metadata item by its custom field(s).


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