# Fields

A field is something a [task](tasks.md) asks you to record while you do it -- a
reading, a photo, a box to tick.

Tasks do not need fields. Plenty of good tasks are just "did you do it". Add a
field when the answer itself is worth keeping.

## Adding one

In the [builder](building-a-workflow.md), select a task and use **Fields** in the
panel, then **Add field**. Each field has:

- **Label** -- the question, as the person doing the task will read it. "MERV
  rating installed". "Build URL".
- **Type** -- what kind of answer, from the seven below.
- **Required** -- tick it and the task cannot be completed until the field is
  filled in. Leave it clear and the field is optional.

Each field also gets a short key from its label, like `regression-pass`, shown
next to the Required tickbox.

## The seven types

| Type | For |
| --- | --- |
| **Single-line text** | A short answer -- a serial number, a name, a reading. Also the right choice for a link. |
| **Rich text** | A written answer, with formatting. |
| **Number** | A measurement or a count. |
| **Checkbox** | One box to tick. |
| **Choice list** | One answer, from a list of choices you set. |
| **File upload** | A photo or a document, kept with the finished checklist. |
| **Link (retired)** | Still asked for, still checked. New fields use single-line text. |

**Choice list** asks for the choices themselves when you pick it -- filter sizes,
severities, locations. Use it wherever a free-text answer would drift into four
spellings of the same thing.

**Link (retired)** only appears on fields saved before that type was withdrawn.
Existing ones keep working exactly as they did; you just cannot create new ones.
A link is a single-line text answer now.

## File uploads

A file field takes one file up to **25 MB** -- a photo, a PDF, an exported report.

Files attach to the checklist, not to the workflow, and everything uploaded across
a checklist is collected in the **Files** section of the
[summary](checklist-summary.md).

## Where the answers go

Field answers are kept with the [checklist](checklists.md) they were entered on.
They are part of the record of that checklist, and editing the workflow later never
changes what an old checklist asked or what was answered.

## Next

- [Tasks](tasks.md)
- [Running a checklist](running-a-checklist.md)
- [The checklist summary](checklist-summary.md)