The First Created field is a read-only system field in SmartSuite that tracks when a record was created, who created it, and the time of creation. This field is a default feature in all new tables and provides detailed information about record creation.
Plan Availability | All plan types |
Permissions | Solution Managers - Can view and configure display options for the First Created field. |
Related Reading |
Key Features
Default System Field: Automatically added to all new tables.
Read-Only: Cannot be duplicated, changed, or deleted.
User and Time Tracking: Links to the profile of the user who created the record.
Time Zone Adjustments: Dates and times are displayed based on the viewer’s selected time zone.
Note: Members can change their time zone by clicking Edit in the General Preferences section of their profile. Time zone defaults to the Workspace's time zone value, which is set in the Workspace Preferences section of Workspace Settings (in Workspace Administration).
Display Locations
Record Footers: Displays the creator's information until the record is updated.
Views: Can be added to grid views and saved views.
Formula Fields: Useful for calculations and dynamic displays.
Customizing the First Created Field
Display Formats
Solution Managers can configure the display format of the First Created field in the following ways:
Avatar: Shows the profile picture of the creator.
Date: Displays the creation date.
Avatar and Date: Combines both profile picture and creation date.
Date Format Options
Days Ago: Displays the time elapsed since the record was created.
Date and Time: Displays the exact date and time.
Note: To adjust display settings, Solution Managers should add the field to the Grid View and modify it from there.
Time Zone Settings
The First Created field displays information based on the viewer’s time zone, which can be set in their user profile. By default, this aligns with the workspace’s time zone, which is configured in the Workspace Settings.
Check out quick articles on Adding Help Text to fields.
First Created Field and Activity History
The First Created field is distinct from the Last Updated field, which tracks changes in Activity History in the following ways:
Initially, the First Created field displays in the record footer; however, subsequent updates replace it with the Last Updated field.
After the footer is replaced with last updated information, you can see the creation date and user in the record Activity History panel (at the top in the gray header bar).
Practical Scenarios and Use Cases
Departmental Collaboration
Scenario: A marketing team wants to identify who created a task in their shared workspace.
Solution: The First Created field allows team members to quickly see who initiated a record and reach out for clarifications if needed.
Audit and Compliance
Scenario: A company requires detailed tracking of record creation for compliance purposes.
Solution: The First Created field provides a reliable, unchangeable audit trail.
Workflow Optimization
Scenario: A project manager wants to analyze how quickly tasks are being addressed after creation.
Solution: Use the First Created field in combination with formula fields to calculate response times and optimize workflows.
Important Notes
The First Created field cannot be removed or altered.
Ensure unique configuration by adding the field to relevant views.
Changes in user time zones affect how date and time are displayed.
For further guidance, check out Adding Help Text.