Skip to main content
All CollectionsAdmin Settings
Customizing Record Numbering
Customizing Record Numbering

Choose from four patterns to help you quickly identify records

Seth From OpenGov avatar
Written by Seth From OpenGov
Updated over 5 years ago

A record's number is its most important identifying attribute, and having a familiar numbering pattern can help you keep track of records more easily.

For each Record Type, you can customize the record numbering pattern. To do so, head to Settings > Record Types and choose the Record Type you'd like to customize.

Find the Numbering Pattern section and choose the option you'd like to apply.

Note: Changing a Record Type's numbering pattern only affects records created after the change. Existing record numbers will be unaffected by these settings.

Available Numbering Patterns

There are four record numbering options: 

1. Basic (Default): Sequential number only (e.g. 1234)

  • All Record Types set to Basic numbering share a common number sequence that increments infinitely.


2. Annual: Two-digit year of submission + sequential number (e.g. 19-1234)

  • The two-digit year updates automatically at the beginning of each new year.

  • All Record Types set to Annual numbering share a common number sequence that resets back to 1 at the beginning of each new year.


3. Prefixed: Prefix + sequential number (e.g. A-1234)

  • A prefix can be 1-4 letters (A-Z only)

  • The numbering sequence is specific to the given prefix

  • Prefixes can be shared among Record Types; the numbering sequence for each prefix will be shared among all Record Types using the same prefix.

  • The numbering sequence increments infinitely

  • A common use case is to set the first letter of the permit type as the prefix. For example, B for Building Permits, E for Electrical Permits, etc. 

In order to set the prefix, select the "Prefix" option, enter your desired prefix in the "Record Prefix" field and then click "Set."

4. Annual Prefixed: Prefix + two-digit year of submission + sequential number (e.g. A-19-1234)

  • The numbering sequence is specific to the given prefix.

  • The two-digit year updates automatically at the beginning of each new year.

  • The numbering sequence for each prefix resets back to 1 at the beginning of each new year.

Viewing and Changing the Next Available Number

Once you've chosen a particular numbering pattern, the Next Available Number section allows you to preview the number of the next submitted record.

You may want records to start at a different number than the next sequential number. To change the Next Available Number, click the pencil icon next to the number preview. Enter a new number in the text box and click "Set".

Note: You may only set the Next Available Number to a number higher than those already in use by existing records.

Did this answer your question?