---
title: "Predecessor field properties"
slug: "predecessor-field-properties"
updated: 2026-04-29T16:57:31Z
published: 2026-04-29T16:57:31Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/predecessor-field-properties"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.quickbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Predecessor field properties

The properties for this field type are:

## Label

Enter a name for this field. This name displays on data-entry forms and as column headings in reports.

## Type

Select **Change Type** to change the field type.

Some field types (List-User, Multi-select Text, and File Attachment, for example) may not be changed. The **Change Type** link will not be present if this is the case.

## Required

Select **Must be filled in** to require users to enter a value in this field. A red asterisk (*) beside a field in Add and Edit forms indicates that this value has been set for the field.

## Default value

Enter the value that you want for the initial entry or default for this field. For example, you can set the Status field to **Open** for the default, and users can change it, if they want.

For multiple-choice fields, you must enter a value that is in your list of choices. If you don't want any option to appear automatically, leave this field blank.

For Multi-select Text fields, you can specify a list of default values delimited by semi-colons (;).

## Start date field

Select the name of the Work Date field that specifies the start date for tasks.

## End date field

Select the name of the Work Date (formula) field that specifies the end date for tasks.

### Value display

These properties apply when the field appears in table and timeline reports.

| Select one or more options... | To... |
| --- | --- |
| Display in bold | Display the data in bold. |
| Display without wrapping | Prevent the data from being broken into multiple lines. |

## Permissions

To set the permissions:

1. Select **Restrict access by role** to limit access to the data in this field.

When selected, the Role and Permission list appears.
2. Select either None, View, or Modify for each role.

> [!NOTE]
> Note: This property is not available to accounts on the Quickbase Essential plan.

## Auto-fill

Select **Copy this value...** to copy the value(s) in this field when the record is copied.

The command to copy a record is visible in the **More** menu when you're viewing the record.

Not all fields are good candidates for this option. For example, if you also select **Unique**, the value of this field is not automatically copied.

## Searchable

Select to allow the field to be included when searching or filtering the table.

## Reportable

To use this field in reports:

1. Select **Add this field to all new reports** to display this field as a column when users create but don't customize reports.

When selected, automatically selects **The field may be used in reports** option.
2. Select **The field may be used in reports** to use this field in reports.

If you want the field to be a default column, you must select this option.

## Shared values

To make entries in this field available as choices in another field:

1. Select **Values from this field may be a source for dropdown lists in other apps**, then select **Add App**.
2. Select an application, then select **OK**.

## Field help text

If you want to provide help text in association with this field, enter it in the text box. This text will display via the information (![information icon](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/information_icon(19).png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-29T03%3A34%3A14Z&se=2026-10-29T04%3A34%3A14Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=z4lD%2Fha9QhvPCKuD29F6sqFALsgy%2F2qoE%2FNMFPFdjgs%3D)) icon next to the field.