Plan Availability | All plan types |
Permissions | Workspace Admins, Solution Creators and Solution Managers: Can create, modify, delete, and manage Single Select fields in their solutions. |
Related Reading |
What is a Single Select Field?
The Single Select field allows you to create custom values lists that are essential for managing data and driving workflows. This field is key to:
Grouping, filtering, tracking, and charting data.
Organizing workflows visually with customizable values and colors.
Simplifying processes for Solution Managers by offering quick customization options.
Adding a Single Select Field
From the Grid View
Open the Grid View of your table.
Click + Add Field.
Select Single Select from the field type options.
Customize the values and colors as needed.
From an Open Record View
Open a record.
Click + Add Field within the record editor.
Choose Single Select and configure the options as desired.
Working with Single Select Fields
Display Formats
Single Select fields offer two display formats:
Dropdown (default): Ideal for longer lists.
Radio Buttons: Better for short lists, showing all options at once.
Note: The display format is only applicable in the Edit Record window. In Grid View, Single Select fields always appears as dropdown in Inline Edit mode.
Dropdown vs. Radio Buttons:
Customizing the Field
Colored Pill: Best for records with fewer Single Select fields, making selections stand out.
Grey Pill with Color Dot: Default setting for a balanced look.
Icon with Text: Useful for processes with progressive stages (e.g., New, In Process, On Hold).
Text Only: Recommended for tables with many Single Select fields.
Check out quick articles on Setting Default Field Values and Adding Help Text to fields. Note: Default values are used often in Single Select fields.
Adding & Styling Choices
Add values quickly using the color picker and icon selector.
Drag and drop values to reorder them or sort them alphabetically (ascending or descending).
Ordering Choices
Drag and Drop: Arrange choices manually to reflect their importance or logical order.
Sort Alphabetically: Organize choices in ascending or descending order with one click.
Important: The order of values impacts grouping in Views and Saved Views.
Required and Create New Choice Options
Required: Ensure users select a value when creating new records.
Allow Users to Create New Choices: Enable users to add new options, useful in scenarios like customer support.
SmartTip: For adding long lists of values, paste them into a Multiple Select field first, then convert it to a Single Select field. With the Multiple Select field, these values can be separated by any common delimiters such as a comma(,), semicolon(;), or pipe(|).
Advanced Settings Features
Adding Descriptions to Single Select Fields
Add detailed descriptions for each value in the Advanced Settings page.
Use descriptions to clarify specific criteria or processes (e.g., stoplight reporting for status updates).
Steps to Add Descriptions:
Open the Single Select field settings.
Check Include Choice Descriptions.
Enter descriptions for each value.
Save your changes.
Using Predefined Lists
Import global values lists from the SmartSuite library into the Single Select field.
Once the predefined values are copied into your Items list, you can modify them to suit your needs.
Add Numeric Values to Choices for Calculations
Add numeric values to Single Select options in the advanced settings.
You cannot use decimals or negatives.
Use these values in combination with Formula fields for calculations.
Example: Priority Score fields in Product Management.
Formula fields can calculate scores based on inputs like Reach, Value, Confidence, and Effort.
Learn more about how to use calculations with values in Select list fields within the Advanced Formulas section of the Formula Examples article.
Automations and Reporting
Using Single Select Fields to Power Automations
Single Select fields can trigger workflows in SmartSuite Automations.
Example: Trigger an automation when the "Impact" field changes from Low to Massive.
Reporting with Single Select
Group, filter, sort, and chart data using Single Select fields across Views, Saved Views, and Dashboards.
Example: Create a report showing the number of open issues by priority level.
Default Single Select Values
Set default values to eliminate repetitive manual input for new records.
Default values ensure consistent categorization and speed up workflows.
Use the default field option for Single (and Multiple) selects to quickly and easily set up a default single select that will be applied to all new records in your Table.
Examples of Use
Categorize to Organize
Whether you're an owner of a thriving digital marketing agency, a property manager, or an innovative jewelry maker - use Single Select values to categorize every aspect of your business.
Customize Workflow Stages
Use Single Select values to map out stages of your processes, keeping organized and differentiating through custom delivery.
Industry-Specific Applications
Real Estate: Use Single Select for Request Types.
Marketing: Manage Project Types with Single Select.
Product Management: Define Score Impact Levels with Single Select.