> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.acpt.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.acpt.io/custom-content-types/columns.md). # Columns Configure the columns of your custom tables using the Canvas UI. Columns are the building blocks of a custom table. Each column maps to a MySQL column and generates a corresponding input field in the record form. Columns are managed in **Step 2** of the [table wizard](/custom-content-types/tables.md) using the [Canvas UI](/canvas-ui/canvas-ui.md). ## Adding a column In the Columns step, click **Add column** in the sidebar panel. Fill in the column settings in the right-hand panel, then drag it to the desired position in the column list.
Canvas UI for CCT columns

Drag columns to reorder. Click a column to edit its settings in the right panel.

## Column settings Every column has a **name** (database column name, snake\_case) and a **type**. Additional settings depend on the type. ### Core settings (all types) | Setting | Description | | ------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Name** | Column name in the database. Must be unique within the table. | | **Label** | Human-readable label shown in the record form. | | **Required** | Whether a value is required when creating/editing a record. | | **Read-only** | If enabled, the column is shown but cannot be edited in the admin UI. | | **Default value** | Pre-populated value for new records. | | **Show in list** | Whether this column appears in the records list view. | | **Conditional rendering** | Show/hide this column based on the value of another column. | | **Validation rules** | Apply format constraints (pattern, min/max, etc.). | | **Permissions** | Per-column role-based access control. | ## Column types ### Text types | Type | MySQL type | Description | | ------------ | -------------- | ----------------------------------- | | **Text** | `VARCHAR(255)` | Short text, up to 255 characters. | | **Textarea** | `TEXT` | Long text without formatting. | | **Editor** | `LONGTEXT` | Rich-text HTML editor (WYSIWYG). | | **Password** | `VARCHAR(255)` | Stored as a hashed string. | | **URL** | `VARCHAR(255)` | URL input with format validation. | | **Email** | `VARCHAR(255)` | Email input with format validation. | | **HTML** | `LONGTEXT` | Raw HTML stored as-is. | ### Numeric types | Type | MySQL type | Description | | ------------ | --------------- | ---------------------------------- | | **Number** | `DECIMAL(10,2)` | Decimal number. | | **Integer** | `BIGINT` | Whole number. | | **Range** | `DECIMAL(10,2)` | Number with min/max slider UI. | | **Currency** | `DECIMAL(10,2)` | Monetary value with currency code. | | **Length** | `DECIMAL(10,2)` | Measurement with unit. | | **Weight** | `DECIMAL(10,2)` | Weight with unit. | | **Rating** | `TINYINT` | Star rating (1–5). | ### Date/time types | Type | MySQL type | Description | | -------------- | -------------- | --------------------------------------- | | **Date** | `DATE` | Date picker (YYYY-MM-DD). | | **Datetime** | `DATETIME` | Date and time picker. | | **Time** | `TIME` | Time picker (HH:MM). | | **Date range** | `VARCHAR(255)` | Two-date range stored as a JSON string. | ### Boolean / choice types | Type | MySQL type | Description | | ------------------- | -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Toggle** | `TINYINT(1)` | On/off boolean toggle. | | **Select** | `VARCHAR(255)` | Single-value dropdown. Options defined inline or from a [Dataset](/tools/datasets.md). | | **Select multiple** | `JSON` | Multi-value select. | | **Checkbox** | `TINYINT(1)` | Single checkbox. | | **Checkbox list** | `JSON` | Multiple checkbox options. | | **Radio** | `VARCHAR(255)` | Single-choice radio buttons. | | **Country** | `VARCHAR(2)` | Country selector (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 codes). | ### Media types | Type | MySQL type | Description | | ----------- | -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | | **Image** | `VARCHAR(255)` | WordPress media library image (stores attachment ID). | | **Gallery** | `JSON` | Multiple images. | | **File** | `VARCHAR(255)` | WordPress media library file. | | **Video** | `VARCHAR(255)` | Video URL or media library item. | | **Audio** | `VARCHAR(255)` | Audio URL or media library item. | ### Structured types | Type | MySQL type | Description | | ----------- | -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | | **Address** | `JSON` | Full address with geocoding support. | | **Phone** | `VARCHAR(50)` | International phone number. | | **Color** | `VARCHAR(20)` | Hex or RGBA color picker. | | **Icon** | `VARCHAR(255)` | Icon selector (Dashicons). | | **QR Code** | `VARCHAR(255)` | Stores the encoded value; QR image is generated on display. | | **Barcode** | `VARCHAR(255)` | Stores the barcode value; image generated on display. | | **JSON** | `JSON` | Raw JSON value with syntax-highlighted editor. | ### Nestable types | Type | MySQL type | Description | | ------------ | ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Repeater** | `VIRTUAL` | A group of sub-columns that can be repeated any number of times. Stored as JSON. | | **Flexible** | `VIRTUAL` | A set of named block templates, each with its own sub-columns. Stored as JSON. | #### Repeater columns A repeater column defines child columns that form a single row. Any number of rows can be added per record. Click **Add child column** inside the repeater to add sub-columns. #### Flexible block columns Flexible columns define multiple named *blocks*, each with its own set of child columns. This is useful for modular content structures. ### Relational types | Type | Description | | -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Relational** | Links a record to one or more records from another CCT table, a CPT post, a taxonomy term, a user, or an option page value. | See [Relational fields](/custom-content-types/relational-fields.md) for full configuration details and examples. ## Conditional rendering You can show or hide a column based on the value of another column in the same table. Click the **Conditional rendering** tab in the column settings panel to define rules. Example: only show the `director_bio` column when the `role` column equals `director`. ## Validation rules The **Validation rules** tab lets you add constraints beyond the column type: * **Required** — must not be empty * **Pattern** — regex match * **Min / Max** — range for numeric types * **Min length / Max length** — character limits for text types ## Column permissions The **Permissions** tab on each column lets you restrict read and write access per WordPress role. See [Permissions](/custom-content-types/permissions.md).