A conditional field shows on a record only when a rule you set is true. Everyone sees a shorter record, with only the fields that apply to it.
Here is the test: does a field matter for some records and not others? If yes, hide it with a rule until it applies.
Example: a Standards table in a policy program. Each standard has a Status of Proposed, Active, Amended or Retired. Amendment log, the record of what changed, matters only once a standard has been amended. A rule shows Amendment log when Status is Amended. On a Proposed or Active standard, the field stays out of the way.
Page Settings, Display Logic, Fields: a rule that shows Amendment log on a standard when Status is Amended.
Plan Availability | Enterprise and Signature. |
Permissions | Administrators and Solution Managers create and change the rules. Everyone sees the record as the rules decide. |
Platform | Web. Rules made on the web also apply in the mobile app. |
Related Reading |
A field is not showing: check these in order
A parent tab or section is hidden. A hidden tab or section hides every field in it, whatever the field's own rule says. See Conditional Record Tabs.
The rule's values. The values in the rule must match the record's data exactly. See Record View: open and lay out a record.
A condition uses a hidden field. With Enable Hidden Fields in Conditions off, a condition that uses a hidden field is considered false. See Show / Hide / Manage Fields.
A system field. Followed by, Open Comments, First Created, Last Updated and Auto Number cannot have a rule. See Supported Field Types in SmartSuite.
The plan. Conditional fields are on Enterprise and Signature. See SmartSuite Plans, Features and Pricing.
Still stuck? Select the chat button in the lower-right corner of SmartSuite and choose Send a message. Include the table, the field name and the rule as it is written.
Opening Display Logic
Open a record in the table.
Select the three-dot button in the record header, then select Page Settings.
Select the Display Logic tab.
The tab has a block for each kind of rule: Sections, Fields and Required Fields, plus Tabs when the table uses record tabs. The Fields block lists the rules already set.
Adding a field rule
In the Fields block, select Add New Rule.
Under Show field, pick the field, such as Amendment log. System fields are not in the list.
Select Add Filter and set the condition: Where Status is Amended.
To combine conditions, add more filters or select Add Filter Group, with AND or OR.
Select Save.
Each field can have one rule. If you select Cancel with changes made, SmartSuite asks whether to exit without saving or save the changes.
Tip: Test the rule on two standards: one Amended and one Active. Check Amendment log shows on the first and hides on the second.
Changing or removing a rule
Select a rule in the Fields block to open it, change it and select Save.
Open the rule and select Delete Rule to remove it. The field then shows on every record again.
Each rule in Display Logic carries a small display logic icon, so you can see where rules are set.
Which rule wins
Rules work from the outside in:
Tabs first. If a tab's rule is false, everything in it is hidden.
Sections next. If a section's rule is false, all its fields are hidden.
Fields last. A field's own rule applies only when its tab and section show.
Note: A hidden field is never required, even when a Conditional Required Fields rule says it should be. Hidden wins.
Good practice
Keep rules short. A long chain of AND and OR conditions is hard to check later.
Use a field rule for one or two fields. When several fields share the same condition, put them in a section and give the section the rule.
Mention the rule in the field's help text, so the next builder knows why Amendment log comes and goes.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the rules apply?
Where do the rules apply?
On the record page. Rules made on the web also apply when the record is opened in the SmartSuite mobile app.
Can one field have two rules?
Can one field have two rules?
No. Each field has one rule, and filter groups can combine conditions inside it.
Why is a field missing from the Show field list?
Why is a field missing from the Show field list?
It is a system field, such as Open Comments, First Created, Last Updated or Auto Number. They cannot have a rule.
Is a hidden field still required?
Is a hidden field still required?
No. A hidden field is never treated as required. See Conditional Required Fields.
Last verified 1 Nov 2026.