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Number

While Maxilist has built-in fields for Quantity, you often need to track other numerical data. The Number custom field is designed specifically for this purpose. It's a versatile field for any data that consists exclusively of digits.

Using the Number field instead of a plain text field has key advantages: it ensures data consistency, brings up a numeric keypad on your phone for faster entry, and allows for powerful sorting, filtering, and calculations.

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In Maxilist, there is no concept of predefined fields. If your use-case does not have any meaning for Quantity, you can re-use the Quantity field for other purposes or delete it entirely.

When to Use a Number Field (Real-World Examples)​

Here are some practical examples of how you can use the Number field to capture crucial details about your items.

For Business & Retail:

  • Weight: Track item weight for shipping cost calculations.
  • Length, Width, Height: Store product dimensions for storage planning or packaging.
  • Reorder Point: Set a minimum stock level that triggers a reorder. (e.g., "Order more when stock hits 10").
  • Lot Number: Track specific batches of products for quality control.
  • Case Pack Quantity: Note how many individual units come in a single case from your supplier.

For Equipment & Asset Tracking:

  • Asset Tag ID: Log your company's internal asset tracking number.
  • Operating Hours: Keep a running total of machine usage for maintenance scheduling.
  • Voltage: Record technical specifications for electrical equipment.

For Personal Collections:

  • Issue Number: For comic books or magazines.
  • Year of Manufacture: Track the age of antiques or collectibles.
  • Edition Size: Note the total number of items produced in a limited run (e.g., 500).
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If you're tracking an ID like a SKU or UPC that might contain letters (e.g., "TSHIRT-BLU-MD"), you should use a Text or Barcode field instead. The Number field only accepts digits.

Key Features and Usage​

The Number field is more than just a place to store digits; it has special properties:

  • Calculations: You can use any Number field in the Formula Engine. For example, you could create a formula to automatically calculate shipping volume: Length * Width * Height.
  • Advanced Filtering: You can filter your item list using numerical operators. For example, you can instantly find "all items with a Reorder Point less than 10" or "all equipment with Operating Hours greater than 500."
  • Correct Sorting: When you sort by a Number field, it sorts numerically (1, 2, 10, 100), not alphabetically like a text field would (1, 10, 100, 2).

How to Create or Edit a Number Field​

Follow instructions in the Custom Fields guide.

Properties of Number Fields​

  • Precision

    • e.g., 2
    • Optional
    • This is the number of decimal places to display. If not set, the field will display as an integer.

  • Step Size

    • e.g., 1
    • Optional
    • This is the increment value when using the numeric keypad. For example, if the step size is set to 1, the numeric keypad will increment by 1 when you press the buttons.

  • Minimum

    • e.g., 0
    • Optional
    • This is the minimum value allowed in the field. If not set, the field will allow any number.

  • Maximum

    • e.g., 100
    • Optional
    • This is the maximum value allowed in the field. If not set, the field will allow any number.

  • Unit

    • e.g., kg
    • Optional
    • This is an optional unit of measurement to display next to the number. For example, if you set the field to 2.5 and the unit to kg, the field will display as 2.5 kg. If not set, the unit will not be displayed.
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If you need a per item Unit, you can add a new Short Text or Multi-Select field instead and customize it based on your needs.