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Overview

Custom fields (called Columns in Obeya Cloud) define what data each item can hold. Every board can have a unique set of columns tailored to your workflow. Add columns by clicking the + button in the column header row.

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Field Types

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Text & Content

TypeDescription
TextSingle-line plain text input
Long TextMulti-line rich text with formatting, links, and checklists
EmailValidated email address field
PhonePhone number with international format support
URLClickable web link

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Numbers & Metrics

TypeDescription
NumberNumeric value with configurable decimal places
CurrencyNumber with currency symbol and locale formatting
PercentageNumber displayed as a percentage with visual bar
RatingStar rating (1-5 or 1-10 configurable)
ProgressPercentage bar showing completion (0-100%)

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Date & Time

TypeDescription
DateDate picker with optional time
Date RangeStart and end date picker for durations
TimelineVisual date range displayed as a bar (used in Timeline view)
Time TrackingManual or automatic time logging with start/stop timer

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Selection & Status

TypeDescription
StatusColor-coded labels for workflow states (e.g., To Do, In Progress, Done)
LabelMulti-select tags with colors
DropdownSingle-select from a predefined list
CheckboxBoolean true/false toggle
PriorityPredefined priority levels (Critical, High, Medium, Low)

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People & Relations

TypeDescription
PeopleSelect one or more team members from the organization
LinkReference to items on other boards (cross-board relationships)
DependencyDefine predecessor/successor relationships between items

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Computed & Special

TypeDescription
FormulaCalculated value based on other columns (supports math, dates, text functions)
LookupPull values from linked items on other boards
Auto-NumberAutomatically incrementing unique identifier
Created DateAutomatically set when the item is created (read-only)
Last UpdatedAutomatically updated on every change (read-only)
FileUpload and attach files, images, and documents
ColorColor picker for visual categorization

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Creating a Custom Column

1

Click the + Button

Click the + button at the end of the column header row in Table view, or go to Board Settings > Columns.
2

Choose Field Type

Select from the available field types. Each type has a preview showing how it will look.
3

Configure Settings

Set the column name, default value, and type-specific settings (e.g., currency symbol, rating scale, status labels).
4

Set Permissions

Optionally restrict who can edit this column. For example, only Admins can change the Priority field.

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Status Column Deep Dive

The Status column is the most commonly used field type. It powers the Board view (Kanban) and provides visual workflow management.
Each status column can have unlimited labels. Each label has a name and color. Common setups include “To Do / In Progress / Done” or “Open / Review / Approved / Closed”.
Set a default status that is automatically applied to new items. New items typically start as “To Do” or “Open”.
Mark one or more labels as the “Done” status. Items with a Done status are included in progress calculations and can be auto-archived.

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Formula Column

The Formula column supports a rich expression language: 
// Sum two number columns
{Budget} + {Additional Costs}

// Calculate days remaining
DAYS_BETWEEN(TODAY(), {Due Date})

// Conditional formatting
IF({Priority} = "Critical", "URGENT: " & {Name}, {Name})

// Aggregate sub-items
SUM(SUBITEMS({Story Points}))
Formulas update in real time as underlying values change. They cannot be edited manually — their value is always computed.

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Column Settings

Right-click any column header to access settings:
  • Rename — Change the column display name
  • Width — Set a fixed column width
  • Description — Add a tooltip description that appears on hover
  • Required — Mark the field as required (items cannot be saved without a value)
  • Default Value — Set a value automatically applied to new items
  • Duplicate — Create a copy of the column with the same settings
  • Delete — Remove the column and all its data