External Fields
External fields define the data model of an external form connected through OpenLink. In external field management, administrators create fields, choose field types, configure required and nullable rules, set the identifier field, and import or export field definitions with Excel workbooks.
External fields belong to the selected external form. Open External Forms first, select an external form, then enter Fields.
External Field Page
Open Fields from an external form.
The page shows the fields of the selected external form and summary cards for the current field model.
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Back | Returns to the external form page |
| Search External Fields | Filters the field list by keyword |
| Create External Field | Opens the external field creation window |
| Import Fields | Imports field definitions from an .xlsx workbook |
| Export Fields | Exports the current field definitions to a workbook |
| Identifier Field | Sets the field used to identify external records |
| Field List | Shows field name, code, type, tags, status, and audit information |
Click a field to select it. Double-click a field to edit it.
Field Summary
The summary area helps administrators check whether the external form model is ready for integration.
| Summary | Description |
|---|---|
| Identifier Field | The field used to uniquely identify external records |
| Required Fields | Fields that must be present during synchronization |
| Enabled Fields | Fields currently available for integration |
| Disabled Fields | Fields currently excluded from integration |
| Reference Fields | Fields linked to another external form |
| Option Fields | Fields with enum options configured |
Use the summary before enabling an external form or publishing flows that depend on it.
Create An External Field
- Enter External Fields from the selected external form
- Click Create External Field
- Choose a field type from the left panel
- Enter the Field Name
- Confirm or edit the Field Code
- Configure Required and Allow Null when needed
- Configure reference or option settings when the selected field type requires them
- Click Save
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Field Type | Yes | Determines the field style and data type |
| Field Name | Yes | Display name used in the field list and related OpenLink configuration |
| Field Code | Yes | Stable code used by mappings, imports, exports, and flows |
| Required | No | Marks the field as required during synchronization |
| Allow Null | No | Controls whether empty values are allowed |
| Reference Object | Conditional | Required for foreign key fields when the field should reference another external form |
| Enum Options | Conditional | Used by radio and checkbox group fields |
When creating a field, Soln suggests the field code from the field name. Newly created fields are enabled by default and are not identifier fields until one is selected in Identifier Field.
Field Types
External fields reuse Soln field styles that are suitable for external data models. Some runtime-only or generated field types are not available for external fields.
Common external field types include:
| Field Type | Use It For |
|---|---|
| Text and Long Text | Names, codes, remarks, and other text values |
| Number | Amounts, quantities, scores, and other numeric values |
| Date, Time, and Datetime | Dates and time-related values from the external system |
| Radio and Checkbox Group | Fields with enum options |
| Foreign Key | References to another external form |
| Object | Structured external payload fragments |
For radio and checkbox group fields, configure enum options. For foreign key fields, choose the referenced external form.
Edit An External Field
- Select a field in the list
- Click Edit, or double-click the field
- Update the field type, name, code, flags, reference object, or options
- Click Save
Editing a field changes how the external form model is used by mappings and flows. Review dependent flows when changing field codes, field types, references, or options.
Identifier Field
The identifier field is used to uniquely identify external records.
- Click Identifier Field
- Choose one enabled field
- Click Save
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| One identifier | Each external form can have one identifier field |
| Must be enabled | The selected identifier field must remain enabled |
| Enabled form requires identifier | If the external form is enabled, it must keep an identifier field |
| Cannot delete directly | Replace the identifier field before deleting the current one |
Choose a stable field that remains unique for external records, such as an external ID or business code.
Enable Or Disable A Field
Use the list action to enable or disable a field.
| Status | Effect |
|---|---|
| Enabled | The field can participate in OpenLink configuration |
| Disabled | The field remains in the model but is excluded from active integration use |
An identifier field cannot be disabled directly. Set another identifier field first, then disable the old field when needed.
Delete A Field
- Select a disabled field
- Click Delete
- Confirm deletion
An enabled field must be disabled before deletion. An identifier field cannot be deleted until it is replaced.
Import And Export Fields
Use Excel import and export when many fields need to be created or updated.
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Export Fields | Downloads the current external field workbook |
| New Field Template | Downloads a template for creating fields |
| Update Field Template | Downloads a template for updating existing fields |
| Import Fields | Uploads, parses, previews, and imports an .xlsx workbook |
The import workflow validates field code, field name, field type, required and nullable values, reference object code, options, status, and identifier rules before importing.
Import Columns
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Field ID | Required only when updating existing fields |
| Field Code | Stable field code |
| Field Name | Display name of the field |
| Field Type | External field type |
| Required | Whether the field is required |
| Allow Null | Whether empty values are allowed |
| Reference Object Code | External form code referenced by foreign key fields |
| Enum Options | Options for select-like fields, using one `label |
Only .xlsx files are supported.
Recommended Workflow
For a new external form, configure fields in this sequence:
- Create the external form and keep it disabled
- Create or import external fields
- Configure reference objects and enum options
- Set the identifier field
- Review required and nullable rules
- Export the workbook when a backup or review file is needed
- Enable the external form after the identifier field and required fields are ready