Using the Custom Tab for Purchase Orders

Using the Custom Tab for Purchase Orders

Purpose

The Custom Tab in Contractor Foreman allows your organization to adapt the Purchase Order (PO) workflow to your unique operational or data-tracking requirements. Whether you need to track internal reference numbers, jobsite delivery windows, special vendor terms, or other non-standard information, the Custom Tab makes it possible to extend the PO form without altering the core structure of the system.

What Is the Custom Tab?

The Custom Tab is a configurable section within a Purchase Order where you can create and display user-defined fields. These fields are fully customizable and can be designed to capture any extra data that your team or project requires.

Custom fields may include:

• Delivery Instructions – Specific times, staging notes, or access restrictions
• Warehouse Reference Codes – Useful for logistics coordination
• Internal Cost Codes – For alignment with accounting systems
• Compliance Indicators – Such as environmental approvals or insurance verifications
• Custom Status Tags – For tracking internal review stages

These fields are visible inside each PO and can also be leveraged in reports or exports, depending on how your organization uses them.

Field Types Supported

When creating a custom field, you can choose from a variety of input types, including:

• Text Fields – Single-line or paragraph entries
• Checkboxes – Yes/No or True/False selections
• Dropdown Menus – Ideal for predefined choices (e.g., Warehouse A, B, or C)
• Dates – For tracking deadlines, delivery dates, review cycles
• Number Fields – For tracking quantities, counts, or secondary costs

These fields are flexible and designed to enhance both data collection and workflow clarity without modifying the system defaults.

When to Use Custom Fields

Use the Custom Tab when:

• You consistently track the same type of extra info across POs
• You want to standardize how teams enter supplemental notes or tags
• You need a way to document project-specific criteria not available in the base fields
• You’re integrating PO data into other platforms or spreadsheets and want to ensure every PO has that data point

Navigation Steps: How to Access and Configure Custom Fields

1. Open the Purchase Order Module

• Click the Main Menu icon (☰).

• Scroll down and select “Purchase Orders” from the list of financial modules.

• The dashboard will show all existing POs. You can filter by:
  • Subject
  • Project
  • Status (e.g., Draft, Submitted, Approved)
  • Date range

2. Open a Specific Purchase Order

• Use the filters (e.g., Project Name, Vendor, Status) to locate the PO you want to modify.
• Click the row to open the detailed view of the Purchase Order.

4. Configure Custom Fields

• Click the gear icon in the upper right of the Custom section.
• The field configuration panel will open.

From here you can:

• Add New Fields
• Set Field Types
• Enter Default Values (optional)
• Control Visibility/Requirement Settings

Once configured, your custom field(s) will apply to all future POs. Past POs will only reflect these fields if edited.

These fields are global; they are not specific to one PO but apply across all new POs in your system once added.

Helpful Tips

• A video tutorial is available in the top-left corner of the Custom tab for a step-by-step walkthrough.
• If you need to edit or remove a field later, return to the gear icon and make adjustments.
• Use dropdowns or checkboxes to ensure consistent data entry and simplify reporting.
• Label your fields clearly to ensure field users know exactly what to input.

Summary

The Custom Tab is your go-to solution for extending the functionality of Purchase Orders in Contractor Foreman. Whether you’re standardizing data entry, tracking operational details, or preparing for future reporting needs, custom fields offer a low-maintenance, high-flexibility method of tailoring the PO experience to your business.

Menu > Purchase Orders > Select PO > Custom Tab > Gear Icon > Add Custom Field > Save

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