Custom Field Type: Autonumber

Since v2.98.5 Jetpack CRM has the added benefit of Autonumber custom fields. If you’re using an earlier version, we suggest you grab the updated WordPress CRM and try out Autonumber custom fields.

What is an Autonumber custom field?

Autonumber custom fields allow you to build a distinct string for an object. For example, say you want each contact to have a “reference” (separate to their usual Contact ID), something like:

2019-999-WH

(In this example we’re using “YYYY-” (year) as the prefix, the number is currently on 999, and we’re using “-USERINITIALS” as the suffix)

… so every time a new contact gets saved, they’ll get a new number. The next contact to be saved (if they were saved in 2019, by “Woody Hayday”) would get:

2019-1000-WH

… so you see, an autonumber custom field is a very powerful way of generating unique/specific numbering fields for your CRM objects, (Contacts currently, Companies, Quotes, Invoices, Transactions to follow in v3.0). That take into account information on the user who added the contact, and when it was added. These automatically increment as new contacts (or CRM objects) come in!

How to set up Autonumber Custom Fields:

First up, check our general guide on custom fields, then dig in to the following autonumber-specific explanation:

1 – From the custom fields setting page, you can add a new field with a name, and then choose the “Field Type” of “Autonumber”:

2 – Next, choose the format you want your autonumber field to maintain. Here are some examples, jump to the bottom of this article for a full list of available “shorthand codes”:

2019-1-WH
Prefix: YYYY-
Next Number: 1
Suffix: -USERINITIALS

Jan-19-1
Prefix: MM-YY-
Next Number: 1
Suffix: (blank)

Hayday19-1-365
Prefix: USERLASTNAMEYY-
Next Number: 1
Suffix: -DOY

3 – Click save on your custom fields, and go add a contact – you’ll see that after the contact is saved their autonumber field is generated.

Autonumber Shorthand Codes:

You can use any of the following in the Autonumber Prefix or Suffix format boxes, they’ll get switched out for the appropriate string when the autonumber field is generated:

    // CURRENT DATE (on creation):
        // YYYY = 2019
        // YY = 19
        // MMMM = 01 - 12
        // MM = Jan - Dec
        // MONTH = January - December
        // WW = 01 - 52
        // DD = 01 - 31
        // DOY = 01 - 365
    // AGENT who's editing (on creation):
        // USEREMAIL = woody@email.com
        // USERID = 1
        // USERNAME = woodyhayday
        // USERINITIALS = WH
        // USERFULLNAME = Woody Hayday
        // USERFIRSTNAME = Woody
        // USERLASTNAME = Hayday