Changing the Edit Type (Data Format) of a Field
Each field in Bullhorn has an edit type, which determines the kind of information users can enter. Choosing the right edit type ensures the field captures data in the correct format.
Edit Type Categories
Bullhorn supports four main edit type categories:
-
Text – Allows any characters or symbols.
-
Numeric – Allows whole numbers or decimals (depending on type).
-
Date/Time – Allows selection of dates, times, or both.
-
Predefined Values – Allows users to choose from a list of preset options.
See Understanding Bullhorn Field Edit Types for a deeper look at the different field edit types and how to use them.
How to Change a Field’s Edit Type
-
From your Bullhorn menu, select Admin > Field Mappings.
-
S-Release: Go to Tools > Field Mappings.
-
-
Click the expand arrow to the left of the chosen entity.
-
Locate and select your chosen field.
-
From the Edit Type drop down, select the new edit type.
-
Click Submit.
You may need to refresh your Bullhorn session to see the change.
Be careful when repurposing fields.
If you're planning major changes to a standard (non-custom) field, proceed with caution. Some fields drive workflows, triggers, integrations, and other behind-the-scenes behavior. Changing their format or purpose may cause unexpected issues.
If you need a field to serve a completely new function, we strongly recommend creating a new custom field instead of repurposing a standard field. This ensures your changes don’t impact other parts of Bullhorn or break existing processes.
What Happens When You Change a Field’s Edit Type
Changing the edit type does not delete the data already stored in that field, but it can change how (or whether) users see it. Keep the following in mind:
Existing data is retained
Values remain in the database even after the edit type changes.
Example: If a drop-down field stored “Paralegal” and you change it to a text field, the value stays.
Data may no longer display
If you change a text field to a numeric edit type, any non-numeric values remain in the database, but the field cannot display them.
Larger fields becoming smaller
If you change a text block (large text area) to a small text field, the full content still exists, but the on-screen field may only show part of it, so users may need to scroll.
Edit Type Restrictions
Some custom field types only support certain edit types. Here’s a quick guide:
| Custom Field | Can Be Changed To |
|---|---|
|
customFloat |
|
|
customInt |
|
|
customText |
Anything except:
|
|
customDate |
|