Add filters to directories

You can add filters to directories of people or organisations so that users can quickly find the most relevant entries. This done by using Custom fields.

Step 1: Create custom field and add options

Where possible use an existing custom field. Where necessary create a new one.

1. Go to Settings > Custom fields.
2. Select either Person fields or Organisation fields, depending on what your directory displays.
3. Click Add new field.
4. Set the input type to Dropdown, Radio buttons or Checkboxes (these all work with pre-defined options).
5. Give the field a name like 'Region' or 'Accreditations'.  
6. Enter your category names as options. Add one name per line (e.g., North, South, Midlands).
7. Click Save.

Step 2: Add the field to your directory

Now you must tell your directory to use this new field for filtering.

1. Go to Contacts > Directories.
2. Click to edit the directory you want to add categories to.
3. Go to the Person fields or Organisation fields tab.
4. Find your new custom field in the list.
5. Check the box in the Filter column.
6. Click Save.

Step 3: Add information to your contacts

Next, you need to classify your contacts so they appear in the directory under the appropriate filter.

1. Go to the Contacts tab and find a person or organisation that is in your directory.
2. Check the contact is set to Display in directories.
3. Go to the Custom field section of the contact page.
4. Locate the existing custom field information or click Add to add a new custom field entry.
5. Repeat this for all contacts in your directory.

Tip: You can do this in bulk by importing changes to existing contacts.

Your directory will now display a filter dropdown. When a visitor selects "Midlands" from the list, the directory will automatically update to show only the contacts that you tagged with the "Midlands" category.