Database Configuration

Using Database Wizard

You have planned your database fields and determined their data types. Now you are ready to implement them into your membership database. This tutorial describes how to accomplish this.

The Profile Manager Premium Database Wizard is located at "Admin Panel" -> "Setup" -> "Fields" page.

1. Add New Database Fields:
Select a data type of the field to be added from "Add a new" pull down menu. This menu includes "Text Field", "Text Area", "Pulldown Menu", "Radio Button", "Checkbox", "Upload Picture", "Password Field" and "Hidden Field". Then submit "Add" button. You can read more details about these fields on the data types article.

a. Text Field:
To add a text field into your database, insert a "Field Name" such as "first_name", "Field Label" such as "First Name" and a text size to define  length of the input box.

b. Text Area:
To add a text area field into your database, insert a "Field Name" such as "hobbies", "Field Label" such as "List Your Hobbies". Then define the column width and number of rows. "Column Width" is the number of characters each line can contain, and "Number of Rows" is number of lines the text area will have.

c. Pulldown Menu:
To add a drop down menu in your database, insert a "Field Name" such as "martial_status", "Field Label" such as "Marital Status". Then list your values for this database field to each line. Such as:

Single Married

This page also has some useful functions. For instance, if the pulldown will contain numbers in a certain range, you can use "Numbers" button to fill the form automatically with the range of numbers you would like to have. You can also list Countries and US States.

d. Radio Button:
A radio button is created in the same way as a pull down menu. They both provide the same functionality: getting user to select one of the many options. Select a proper name for your database field, and enter into "Field Name". Then enter your question or field description into "Field Label" box. Finally list your options into the text area. Each line should include one option.

For instance, if you would like users to select their gender using a radio button,  insert a "Field Name" such as "gender", "Field Label" such as "Gender". Then list options as below to the "List of Choices" box:

Male Female

e. Checkbox:
Checkboxes are simple "yes" or "no" questions. For example, to ask users if they would like to receive your newsletters, enter "newsletter" to "Field Name" box and "Receive Newsletter?" into the "Field Label" box.

f. Upload Picture:
The default installation comes with three image upload fields. If you would like to add a new image upload field, simply enter a name and a label for it. The new upload box will start showing up on user upload page.

g. Password Field:
To add a password field into your database, insert a "Field Name" such as "ssn", "Field Label" such as "Social Security Number" and a text size to define  length of the input box.

 

 

h. Hidden Field:
To add a hidden field into your database, insert a "Field Name" such as "membership type". You probably don't need a field label. In that case, simply place a single space " " as field label.

 

2. Modify or Delete Database Fields:
To modify or delete any existing database fields, go to "Admin" -> "Database" -> "Fields". Right below "Add new fields", you will find "Modify field" selection box. Simply select one of the existing database fields from the drop down box and click on "Modify". The next screen will give the properties for the database field. You can make the changes and submit "Modify" to complete modification.

Warning: Database field deletion may cause data loss! Before deleting any field, backup your database file from Admin -> Database -> Backup.  You can only safely delete a field if it is the last field you added. On a live database, you should not delete an existing field. This may cause problems on your other database fields if you do so.

Final Comments:

• Take your time thinking about your database fields when you first create them. After having hundreds of members, changing things is not easy. 
• Use dropdown menus as much as possible. It will make your job easier when you want to create "browse profiles" and "search profiles" pages, or to create reports about your members.
• Use correct data field type for your database fields.
• Keep Field Names as short and simple as possible.
• Keep your Fields Labels simple.