Optimize Your Custom Fields and Custom Forms
Before you create or revise custom fields and forms, review the business requirements, and confirm that the customization is necessary. Use the simplest field or form layout that supports the process.
When you customize forms, remove fields that users don't need so forms stay focused and require less maintenance. For more information, see Configuring Fields or Screens.
Document and use consistent naming conventions so users can easily identify objects. You can change the ID of a custom object (except for custom segments) after it's been created, using the Change ID button at the top of the page. For more information, see Conventions for Naming Custom Objects and Changing the ID of a Custom Object.
Check the Form is Preferred box when creating a new custom form. This lets you decide which forms your employees use and helps maintain consistency across your company. For more information, see Defining Preferred Forms.
Choose the right field type when creating custom fields and understand the differences. For example, a free-form text field type can have up to 300 text characters, whereas a text area field can have up to 4000 characters. For more information about various field types, see Field Type Descriptions for Custom Fields.
Choose a field type that matches how the data will be used. For example, use a text field for short values, a text area for longer content, and a stored field when the value does not need to be calculated each time.
Creating a nonstored custom field that uses formulas or searches slows down the database because many logs are created. To improve performance, check the Store Value box and use a server-side script. Use a nonstored field only when the value needs to be calculated dynamically. For more information, see Record.setValue(options).
When working with multiple records, to set up ongoing updates, consider using CSV import, mass update, scheduled script, or map/reduce script features during off-peak hours. Use the method that best fits the size and timing requirements of the update. For more information, see CSV Imports, SuiteScript 2.1 Mass Update Script Type, SuiteScript 2.1 Scheduled Script Type and SuiteScript 2.1 Map/Reduce Script Type.