"Fields" Questions

[mjchin]

I have to build / modify a few modules. What I've been doing is adding newfields, then applying them in the layout. I realize I have a few similar fields that needs to be applied onto other modules.

My questions are:

• is there a way to reuse these fields in different modules or do I need to create them seperately?
• Is there a way I can I create the fields and their properties (field type, mask, display name) in a text file and upload them?
• Is there a way to run a report of what my fields are, for example a data diictionary?
• when laying out a module, is there a way to have three fields per row?
• In the accounts module, I notice billing address / shipping address is one panel but in the layout, its one field. how can I create this type of address field for another use? for example, instead of creating separate address, city, st, zip fields, I'd like to create similar "one panel" addresses and apply it for other addresses, e.g., mothers, fathers, emergency contact, etc.

Thanks in advance

[crmbalah]

HI
1. you should be create every module. you can't use the other module fields.
2. include/SugarFields/Fields/Address/EditView.tpl use this and create new address related fields.

[andopes]

I have to build / modify a few modules. What I've been doing is adding newfields, then applying them in the layout. I realize I have a few similar fields that needs to be applied onto other modules.

My questions are:

• is there a way to reuse these fields in different modules or do I need to create them seperately?
• Is there a way I can I create the fields and their properties (field type, mask, display name) in a text file and upload them?
• Is there a way to run a report of what my fields are, for example a data diictionary?
• when laying out a module, is there a way to have three fields per row?
• In the accounts module, I notice billing address / shipping address is one panel but in the layout, its one field. how can I create this type of address field for another use? for example, instead of creating separate address, city, st, zip fields, I'd like to create similar "one panel" addresses and apply it for other addresses, e.g., mothers, fathers, emergency contact, etc.

Thanks in advance

Sugar enable you to create new field templates.
Just take a look at the folder include/SugarFields/Fields folder.
Every folder has all definitions for each field: their templates (EditView, ListView, DetailView) and logic (php class).
You can create new ones and add the attribute

 'type' => 'new_field_template', 
  

On field defs at metadata layout (detailviewdefs.php, editviewdefs.php and listviewdefs.php).

Cheers

[mjchin]

Thanks Andopes, I'll look at that, field templates. I'm completely new to Sugar and therfore please excuse my seemingly "simple" questions

Reusing or at least copying fields from another module would be simpler so I dont have to create similar feilds.

For example under the Accounts module, I may have similar name and address fields that appear under the Contacts module.

[andopes]

Thanks Andopes, I'll look at that, field templates. I'm completely new to Sugar and therfore please excuse my seemingly "simple" questions

Reusing or at least copying fields from another module would be simpler so I dont have to create similar feilds.

For example under the Accounts module, I may have similar name and address fields that appear under the Contacts module.

Hi mjchin

Yes, you can copy a field from a module to another one, but sometimes you may want to customize a field the way you need to accomplish a non-upgrade safe customization. At that scene you may consider creating a new field template which can itself extends an existing field template and override just the enough to accomplish your needs.

Cheers