# Adding custom fields
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Custom fields can only be added by an Administrator.
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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
1. Select 'Administrator tools' from your Dashboard side panel, then 'Manage Custom Fields'.
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.
3. Select 'Add Custom Field for \[*chosen metadata item type(s)*]'.
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.
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.
6. Select 'Submit Edits' when you are satisfied.
7. Once saved, your custom fields will appear in the 'Slots' tab of the metadata item editor when creating or editing an item.
**Note:** Upon creation, custom fields will not be searchable. A [reindex task](https://help.aristotlemetadata.com/administrator-tasks/task-runner/resolving-issues-with-search-using-reindex) must be completed in order to search for a metadata item by its custom field(s).
