The Structured List field type is ideal for capturing object data comprising multiple, related components of information, whether that be for provenance, bibliographic resources, or exhibition history.
While you could include a list in a Long Text or Rich Text field type, or add a Select or Dataset field type that allows for multiple selections of items, the Structured List field type helps you build upon and reorder separate informational entries.
For more information on selecting field types for specific use cases, see Setting Up Blueprint Fields.
Use Case: Bibliography
When you plan to add bibliographic citations for objects, you can add a Structured List field type to your Blueprint.
Structured List is one of the types available under the Fields tab. Just click it to add to your Blueprint.
- First, we'll enter Bibliography as the field label.
- Then we'll indicate the maximum number of entry items. This begins by default at 50; here we've changed it to 100 items.
- Next, we've toggled on the Enable Markdown option (more about this later).
We'll look at the other toggleable options later.
You can also enter helpful data entry notes about preferred formatting, resources, or standards.
On an object page, when you add data in a Structured List form field, you'll add each item separately by clicking the plus (+) icon.
Here we've added two bibliographic entries. To italicize titles using Markdown, we've added an asterisk to either side of the title (notice in the first example, punctuation goes after the asterisk (Motion*.)
Now that we've added multiple entries, let's drag and drop them into alphabetical order using the dragger icon to the left of each entry. Remember to save.
Use Case: Exhibition History
You can also add a Structured List field type for exhibitions. Here we've labeled the field Exhibition History and we've selected the Markdown option (since exhibition titles are italicized).
Use Case: Provenance
For Provenance, we'll add a Structured List field type.
- First, we'll enter Provenance as the field label.
- We'll set the maximum number of items at 25.
- We'll toggle on Enable Entry Label
- We'll toggle on Enable Markdown (to italicize auction catalogue titles, for example)
- We'll toggle on Internal. This means that this information will NOT be available to share in Exhibitions or Modules.*
*Currently, no data in Structured List field types can be shared in Exhibitions or Modules, but this option will be available in the future.
On an object page, under Provenance, add each item separately by clicking the plus (+) icon.
Since we toggled on the option to Enable Entry Label in our Blueprint, you'll see form fields for Entry Label and Content. The Entry Label allows you to provide a custom label you'll see first when you visit an object page.
Here, for example, we're using Date Range: Name (Nationality, Life Dates) in the entry label. You might only include the date range here, or only the owner's name, depending on the format that works best for you. Then, you can enter additional content below.
Again, you can reorder these entries using drag and drop, if necessary.
After provenance information has been entered for your objects, you can lock the form field to prevent further data entry. Go back to your Blueprint and toggle on Locked.
Now, when you view your object information, you'll see a blue padlock next to Provenance and the fields will be grayed out. To unlock the field for further data entry, go back to the Blueprint.
The Structured List field type can be used whenever you need to create an expandable list of separate but related items that be reordered with ease.
Need some help planning for structured lists? Don't hesitate to reach out!