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Release: Australia · Updated: 2026-03-12 · Official documentation · View source

Database field type

Several field types are available in the system.

This table shows field types and corresponding MySQL database types. Typically, it isn't necessary to perform any actions at the database level. To learn about changing a field type, see System dictionary.

Field typesOptionsDictionary XML typeMySQL DB type
StringsmallstringVARCHAR(40)
StringmediumstringVARCHAR(100)
StringlargestringMEDIUMTEXT
StringextralargestringMEDIUMTEXT
Decimal decimalDecimal (15,2) older instances may have (12,2)
Integer integerInteger
True-False booleanTINYINT(1)
Date glide_dateDATE
Date-Time glide_date_timeDATETIME
Time glide_timeDATETIME
Duration glide_durationDATETIME
Choice stringVARCHAR(40)
Suggestion stringVARCHAR(40)
Journal journalMEDIUMTEXT
Reference<reference table>referenceVARCHAR(32)
List glide_listMEDIUMTEXT
Url urlMEDIUMTEXT
Image user_imageVARCHAR(40)
Due-Date due_dateDATETIME

Note: An example of option types is as follows:

  • A string field defined in the platform with a max length of 40 characters → VARCHAR(40).
  • A string field defined in the platform with a max length of x, where x = 41-255 characters, inclusive → VARCHAR(x) [examples: String 42 is VARCHAR(42) and String 211 is VARCHAR(211)].
  • A string field defined in the platform with a max length of 256 and upwards → MEDIUMTEXT.