Custom Fields allow you to tailor contact data in SalesNexus 2.0 (Nexi) to match your unique workflows. Whether you need to track onboarding status, renewal risk, implementation dates, or industry-specific details, Custom Fields give you the flexibility to capture exactly what your team needs.
This article explains:
What Custom Fields are
Where they appear
How they behave
Where they can be created and managed
What Custom Fields Are
Custom Fields are additional data points you define for contacts.
Examples include:
Implementation Start Date
Renewal Risk
Onboarding Status
Product of Interest
Custom Fields function like standard fields:
They appear on the contact record
They can be used in lookups and filters (where supported)
They are shared across your team
They follow your permission settings
Where You See Custom Fields
Custom Fields appear in multiple areas of Nexi depending on how they are configured.
1. Contact Record
Open any contact and locate the panel where the Custom Field has been placed.
Fields appear within the panel layout.
You can view and edit values based on your permissions.
Fields behave like standard contact fields.
2. Panels
Custom Fields live inside Panels within the contact layout.
Panels group related information such as:
Account Details
Onboarding
Activity
Social Media
Custom Panels
You can manage where fields appear by editing the panel layout.
3. Imports & Lists
During contact import:
Columns can map to existing Custom Fields.
New Custom Fields can be created during the import process if needed.
This ensures your imported data aligns correctly with your contact structure.
The Only Two Ways to Create New Custom Fields
From Panels in the Toolbar (Custom Panel Editor)
During Contact Import (Nexi-Assisted Field Creation)
A) Create Custom Fields via Panels
Custom fields must be created through the Panels editor. They cannot be created directly from a contact record or other areas of the system.
1. Open the Panels Editor
Click the Panels icon (
) from the main toolbar on the right.
Navigate to the Custom Panels tab.
2. Create or Edit a Custom Panel
You can either:
Click the + icon to create a new custom panel, or
Click the pencil (edit) icon next to an existing panel to modify it.
This opens the Panel Editor, where you manage field layout and create new fields.
3. Add an Existing Field to the Panel
Inside the Panel Editor:
Locate the field in the Available Fields column.
Click the + icon next to the field to move it to the Selected Fields column.
Drag and drop fields in the Selected Fields area to reorder them.
Use the field action icons to adjust visibility, required status, or remove the field.
4. Create a New Custom Field from the Panel Editor
If the field you need does not exist:
Click the + button at the top of the Available Fields section.
The New Custom Field window will open.
Complete the following:
Field Name (internal system name)
Label (display name)
Type (e.g., Character, Date, Number, etc.)
Initial Value (optional default value)
5. Configure Field Settings
Select any relevant options:
Is Required – Makes the field mandatory.
Is Primary – Marks as a primary identifier field.
Is Drop Down – Converts the field to a dropdown list.
Multi Select – Allows multiple dropdown selections (if applicable).
Allow Custom Value – Permits users to enter values not in the dropdown list.
Is System – Designates as a system-level field.
Is Read Only – Prevents edits.
Is Quick Search – Makes the field searchable.
Allow User Edit List – Lets users modify dropdown values.
Generate History – Tracks changes made to the field.
Is Zapier – Makes the field available for Zapier integrations.
Click Save Field.
The new field will now appear in the Available Fields list.
6. Add the New Field to the Panel Layout
Click the + icon next to the newly created field.
It will move into the Selected Fields column.
Drag and position it where desired.
Click Save in the Panel Editor to finalize the layout.
Your custom field is now fully created, configured, and added to your panel layout.
Important
Custom fields can only be created:
Through the Panels editor, or
During the Import workflow when the system prompts you to create a new field.
They cannot be created directly from individual contact records.
B) Create Custom Fields via Imports
Importing contacts allows you to add new records and update existing contacts. The import workflow ensures your data aligns with your contact structure and pipelines.
Before You Begin
Prepare your file for import:
Use a CSV file format.
Ensure the first row contains column headers (e.g., First Name, Email, Company).
Clean your data:
Remove duplicates where possible.
Confirm email formatting is correct.
Use consistent values for dropdown fields.
Tip: Matching your column names to existing field names improves automatic field mapping.
Step 1: Open the Import Tool
Go to Contacts.
Open the Import option from the toolbar or dropdown menu.
Click Import Contacts.
Upload your CSV file.
Step 2: Map Your Fields
After uploading, the system will display the Field Mapping screen.
Automatic Matching
SalesNexus attempts to match your columns to existing standard or Custom Fields.
Manual Adjustment
If a column does not match correctly, you can select the appropriate existing field from the dropdown to ensure the data maps properly.
Creating a Custom Field During Import
If no suitable field exists:
Choose Create New Field from the mapping dropdown.
Enter:
Field Name
Label
Type (Character, Dropdown, Date, Number, etc.)
Save the field.
The newly created field becomes immediately available and is applied during the import process.
Step 3: Review Import Settings
Before completing the import, review available options such as:
Duplicate handling:
Update existing contacts
Skip duplicates
Assigning contacts to:
A Group
A Pipeline
A User
Triggering automations (if enabled)
Confirm all mappings and settings before proceeding.
Step 4: Complete the Import
Click Start Import or Import.
Allow the system to process your file.
Review the import summary:
Records created
Records updated
Any errors encountered
After the Import
Verify your data:
Open Contacts and search for newly imported records.
Confirm:
Fields populated correctly.
Dropdown values display properly.
Dates and numbers are formatted as expected.
Viewing and Editing Values on a Contact
Once a Custom Field has been added to a panel, you can easily view and update it from the contact record.
To Update a Custom Field:
Open Contacts and select the contact you want to edit.
Locate the panel where the Custom Field appears.
Click into the field value and update it as needed (text, dropdown/multiselect, date, or number).
Save or confirm your changes (depending on your interface).
Changes:
Are visible to your team (based on permissions)
May be recorded in contact history
Immediately reflect in lookups and filtered views
Using Custom Fields in Lists and Lookups
Custom Fields can be used for filtering, segmentation, and reporting.
You can:
Add Custom Fields as columns in supported list or lookup views
Filter contacts using Custom Field values (e.g., Onboarding Status = Active)
Sort by Custom Field values
Build targeted segments for marketing or sales workflows
This makes Custom Fields powerful tools for automation and reporting.
Best Practices
To keep your data clean and scalable:
Design before you build – Plan your key data points to avoid duplicates and confusion.
Use consistent naming conventions – Clear names improve usability (e.g., Implementation Start Date instead of Start).
Prefer dropdowns for repeatable values – Improves data consistency and filtering accuracy.
Review periodically – Remove or retire fields that are no longer relevant.
Well-structured Custom Fields improve automation accuracy and reporting clarity.
Need Help?
If you need assistance:
Use the Need Help? dropdown on the Contacts page.
Search the Knowledge Base for articles on Custom Fields, Panels, and Importing Contacts.
For advanced configurations (pipelines, automations, integrations), refer to the Customization and Integrations documentation.
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