How to Create an Applicant Field Category
Description
Applicant Field Categories help organize applicant fields into logical sections, making admission forms easier to manage and complete. Categories can be created to group related information such as academic records, emergency contacts, residency details, or institution-specific requirements.
Creating categories before adding custom fields helps keep applicant information well-structured and simplifies form management.
Navigation
Steps to Create an Applicant Field Category
- Navigate to Settings → Admissions Settings → Applicant Fields.
- In the Categories panel, click Add New Category.
- In the Add Field Category dialog, enter the following information:
- Category Title – Enter a descriptive name for the category.
- Sort Order – Specify the display order of the category. Lower numbers appear before higher numbers.
- Click Submit.
The new category is added to the Categories list and is ready to hold custom applicant fields.
Category Display Order
The Sort Order determines the sequence in which categories appear within Applicant Fields and on the applicant form.
For example:
| Sort Order | Category |
|---|---|
| 1 | General Information |
| 2 | Address & Contact |
| 3 | Emergency Contact |
| 4 | Previous Education |
Using sequential sort orders helps maintain a logical flow throughout the application form.
Best Practices
- Use clear and descriptive category names.
- Group similar fields into the same category.
- Create categories before adding related custom fields.
- Use consistent sort order values to keep the application form organized.
Notes
- Default categories provided by openSIS cannot be modified or deleted.
- Custom categories can be edited or deleted if they are no longer required.
- A category must exist before custom applicant fields can be added to it.
Expected Outcome
A new Applicant Field Category is created and appears in the Categories panel, allowing administrators to organize custom applicant fields into meaningful sections.
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