The Entity Builder: Fields, Validation & Layout

Once an entity is created, you define what it actually stores using the Entity Builder. The builder has three areas: a field palette on one side (the field types you can add), the form canvas in the middle (your entity as it's being built), and a properties panel on the other side (settings for the selected field).

You add a field by choosing it from the palette, then configure it in the properties panel.

💡 The builder is designed for desktop. Daftra recommends using a PC for entity field setup rather than a mobile device.

The Field Palette

The builder offers a wide range of field types. They group naturally by purpose:

Text fields

Single Line Field — short text on one line.

Multi-Lines Field — longer, multi-line text.

URL Field — a web address.

Email Field — an email address.

Phone Number — a phone number.

Dates & numbers

Date — a calendar date.

Time — a time value.

Currency — a monetary amount.

Number — a numeric value.

Choices & toggles

Toggle — an on/off switch.

Dropdown — pick one option from a list.

Multiple Dropdown — pick several options.

Dynamic Dropdown — pick one option from a data-driven list.

Multiple Dynamic Dropdown — pick several from a data-driven list.

Media & location

Map Location — a location on a map.

File — a file upload.

Image — an image upload.

Structure & display

Multiple Sub-Forms — a repeatable group of fields.

Separator — a visual divider between sections.

Static Content — fixed content shown on the form.

Formatted Text — rich/formatted text.

Field Properties

When you select a field, the Properties panel lets you configure it:

Property	What it does
Field Label	The label shown to the user for this field.
Key	The field's unique internal identifier. Max 15 characters, using only letters, numbers, and underscores.
Default Value	A value pre-filled when a new record is created.
Placeholder	Hint text shown inside the empty field.
Filter by this Field?	Allows records to be filtered by this field in the listing.
List by this Field?	Shows this field as a column in the entity's listing.
Auto Suggest	Suggests previously entered values as the user types.

Validations

Control what counts as valid input:

Validation	What it does
Min Length	The minimum number of characters allowed.
Max Length	The maximum number of characters allowed.
Is Unique?	Requires the value to be unique — no two records can share it.
Is Required?	Makes the field mandatory; the record can't be saved without it.

Layout

Control how the field appears on the form:

Option	What it does
Allow Beside	Lets the field sit beside another field on the same line instead of on its own row.
Field Size	Sets the field's width (for example, Small, X-Small, Medium, Large, X-Large).

Saving the Entity

Give the entity its label at the top of the builder, then use Save to store it (or Cancel to discard). After saving, you can reopen the builder anytime to edit the fields or delete the entity.

The Entity Builder

The Entity Builder: Fields, Validation & Layout#

The Field Palette#

Field Properties#

Validations#