Data Types

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A ‘data type’ specifies the type of information that can be stored in a table field. It is configured on the Table Design screen. The table below lists the data types available in Caspio with examples on where to use each one.

Note: The Conversion Compatibility column shows the data types to which a field in the original data type can be converted and whether there is a possibility of data loss. It is useful when converting the data types of existing tables or when importing and appending data into existing tables. Also, when outside fields are mapped to Caspio table fields for certain areas of Caspio (such as in the Connections area), the conversion compatibility should be considered.

Data Type	Description	Examples	Conversion Compatibility
Text (255)	Used for a string of text of up to 255 alphanumeric characters and/or symbols. This data type is the most common data type and yields the fastest performance in searches. You can also use this data type for numeric characters that are not used as numbers in calculations or formatting—such as phone numbers, zip codes, and social security numbers. Not doing so impacts formatting and prevents proper sorting by this field.	First_Name, State, Phone, Zip_Code	Text (64000) File (provided that the text field contains proper file paths)
Text (64000)	Used for a long string of text of up to 64,000 alphanumeric characters and/or symbols. Use this data type for description fields or other lengthy text data. Otherwise, use Text (255), which performs much faster.	Description, Comments	Text (255) (longer strings are truncated) File (provided that the text field contains proper file paths)
Number	Used for decimal numbers.	Weight, height, area, percentage values	Text (255) Text (64000) Integer (decimal values are truncated) Currency (allows up to four decimal points)
Integer	Used for numbers that do not have a decimal point, can be used as IDs and in relationships.	Age, number of children	Text (255) Text (64000) Number Currency
Currency	Used for money fields in any currency.	Price, Salary	Text (255) Text (64000) Integer (decimal values are truncated)
Autonumber	An automatically-assigned ID field. The value is incremented by 1 for each new record and cannot be changed except by resetting it for the entire table.	Customer_ID, Record_ID	Text (255) Text (64000) Number Integer Currency
Prefixed Autonumber	An automatically-assigned ID field with the ability to add a prefix. Use the Options area to configure the prefix and number format of the ID code to be generated.	Customer_ID, Record_ID	Text (255) Text (64000)
Random ID	A unique system-generated random ID field with the ability to add a prefix as well as define the length and composition of characters, digits, or both. Use the Options area to configure the prefix and number of characters the ID code should contain. You can also specify whether to include alphabet characters only, numbers only, or both (alphanumeric).	Customer_ID, Record_ID	Text (255) Text (64000)
GUID	A system-generated and globally-unique identifier value, typically used as a complex unique value.	Customer_ID, Record_ID	Text (255) Text (64000)
Date/Time	Used for date and time data. DataPages automatically display a calendar picker for date/time fields. ‘Precision’ is specified in the DataPage and is used to configure which part of the date or time part is used. Use the Options area to specify whether or not to allow blank values in this field.	Followup_Date, Date_of_Birth	Text (255) Text (64000) Timestamp
Yes/No	Used for fields that allow only two possible values: yes or no (true or false). By default a Yes/No input field appears as a checkbox in forms. Note: The Yes/No field in Caspio maps to the BIT data type in SQL Server, which stores 1 for “Yes” (True) and 0 for “No” (False). You can use casting functions like CAST or CONVERT when handling data transformations involving Yes/No fields in custom SQL expressions. For more information, see SQL Server documentation.	Active_User, Requested_Newsletter, Published	Text (255) Text (64000) Number
Attachment (Flex)	Used for storing files directly in tables. Attachment fields allow users to upload files through the Datasheet or with Submission Forms, Update/details Forms, and Sign-up Forms. One uploaded file can be used only in one attachment field, in one record, and it cannot be shared between other records in the same table or other tables. Files uploaded using the Attachment data type are not going to be visible in the Files area of Bridge.	Profile_Photo, Resume, Contract	N/A
File (Bridge)	Used to associate files with a record. File fields allow your app users to upload files using a web form. Files are stored in your database and can be used in DataPages. Files can also be accessed in the Files area of All Assets, organized in a file folder structure.	Profile_Photo, Resume, Contract	Text (255) may be truncated Text (64000)
Password	Used for storing user passwords. The value of this field is always encrypted and cannot be seen in Datasheet or DataPages.	Password	None
Timestamp	A timestamp is a type of smart field that automatically records the date and time when a record is submitted and/or updated. Use the Options area to configure the time zone and the general behavior of the timestamp.	Date_Submitted, Date_Updated	Text (255) Text (64000) Date/Time
Formula	A formula field is a calculated value based on other fields of the record and various math, date/time, text and other expressions. Use the Options area to create the formula.	Full_Name, Profit, Shift_Duration	The data type of a formula field depends on its expression and return value and follows the conversion compatibility for that data type. After any conversion, the computed values are replaced with static values.
List	A special data type for storing a collection of strings, numbers or dates in a single field.	Allergies, Pizza_Toppings	None