Creating Codes vs Creating Fields

Dominique Hilliard

I am fairly new to Blackbaud and am still learning the database. I was wondering if someone could help me understand or point me in the direction to were I may find some information on the difference between creating codes and fields and when it is best to use each.


Thanks!

Stacy Evans

A code can be a Constituent Code and since you're new, I will explain it to you. Constituent code= what that person is to your organization. (Trustee, Board Member, Committee Member) But there are other codes that are use to identify what that relationship means to you.


A field is just an empty space that you put information in. Your whole database consists of fields. I hope that helps!


Best of luck to you.


Stacy

Paula Lentoni

Codes help you slice & dice the data and allow you to isolate information to run a search.

Examples of commonly coded fields are Geographic area, Type of Support, Program Area, Staff Person


A field is necessary to collect information; every code needs a field, but every field is not coded.


Happy to talk through this more with you.

Jane Van Ingen

Stacy:


Just to be clear, you are referring to Raiser's Edge, correct? I use both Raiser's Edge and Blackbaud Grantmaking, and they're two distinctly different databases.


Thanks,

Jane

Dominique Hilliard

No, I am using Blackbaud Grantmaking.

Dominique Hilliard

That is helpful. Thank you. I am trying to add a piece of information to populate in a few different areas such as internal and external reporting and I am trying to figure out the best way to do that weather it be a field I create or a code I assign,

Dominique Hilliard

Thank you. This is helpful!

Rachel Rosen

Hi Dominique! Classification tables/coding sheets are best used when you need to select multiple values, or have too much text for a Blueprint Custom Field (where the limit is 255 characters). Otherwise, Blueprint all the way! Let me know if you have follow up questions.

Stacy Evans

Hi Jane,


I'm just now seeing your question. Yes, I was referring to Raiser's Edge. For some reason I can't find all the questions that I reply to. I did a search by my name and they don't show.