---
title: Edit the columns in the index
description: "The columns in your index are called \"document fields\" in Disclosure Ready. Document fields allow you to add greater detail to documents within a matter and can be customised to meet your firm's specific requirements. This article explains how to…"
url: "https://disclosureready.legalready.ai/knowledge/edit-columns-in-the-index/"
updated: "2026-08-12"
category: Document Management
---

# Edit the columns in the index

The columns in your index are called "document fields" in Disclosure Ready. Document fields allow you to add greater detail to documents within a matter and can be customised to meet your firm's specific requirements.

This article explains how to create new fields, add them to folders, and update field contents.

**Note:** Document fields will be included when creating matter templates.

## **Creating new fields**

1. Go to your matter and click **Setup** at the top banner
2. Select **Fields** from the left-hand panel
3. Click **New Field** in the top right corner

![](https://disclosureready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/image-127.png)

1. Enter the following details for your new field:
   - **Field name**
   - **Data type**, which can be:
     - **Text**: single line of text (e.g. Note, Comment, Sender)
     - **Boolean**: True or False (e.g. Reviewed, Approved)
     - **Integer** **number**: whole number (e.g. Internal #)
     - **Decimal numbe**r: number with decimal, like monetary amounts (e.g. Purchase Price, Account Balance)
     - **Date-only**: date format (e.g. Served date, Sent date)
2. Optionally configure:
   - **Display mode**: select whether to display in column or row — column is recommended as the default
   - **Display in document listings**: enable this to show the field as a column in the folder list and index

     **Note**: If unchecked, the field will only appear in the detailed document view.
3. Click **Create**

![](https://disclosureready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/image-128.png)

## **Adding fields to folders**

Once a field is created, it must be added to each folder where you want it to appear.

1. Go to your matter and select **Setup** from the top banner
2. Select **Folders** from the left-hand panel
3. Click the relevant party to view the current folders
4. Click the **edit pencil** on the right-hand side of the folder name
5. Click the **Fields** tab in the **Edit Folder** window
6. Select the new field from the **Select field to add…** dropdown and click the **+** icon to add it

![](https://disclosureready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/image-130.png)

1. (Optional) Drag and drop fields into your preferred order using the three bars on the left-hand side of the field name

![](https://disclosureready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/image-131.png)

1. Click **Update**

## **Updating document fields**

Once fields have been added to a folder, you can update the field values for individual documents:

1. Go to your matter and select the folder containing the documents you want to update
2. Click the **edit pencil** on the right-hand side of the document name.
3. In the **Edit Document** window, click the **Fields** tab
4. Under **Additional fields**, update the value of your field

![](https://disclosureready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/image-132.png)

1. Click **Update**

The new field value will appear as a column in the document list at the folder level and at the index level.

![](https://disclosureready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/image-133.png)

![](https://disclosureready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/image-134.png)

**Note:** If the new field does not appear as a column, check that **Display in document listings** is enabled in the field settings.

For further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated Support Team via [support@legalready.ai](mailto:support@legalready.ai) or +61 3 9020 4456.