How to Use Custom Fields in Reports
In this guide, we’ll show you how to add and view custom fields inside your reports, how to sort or filter them, and which fields may have limitations.
Custom fields allow you to capture and track the unique information that matters most to your clinic — whether it’s client preferences, internal tags, or custom service notes. In Pabau, these fields can also be pulled into your reports, giving you greater flexibility when tracking performance, client trends, and operational data.
Step 1: Go to the Reports section
Start by logging into your Pabau account and clicking the Reports under analytics on the left-hand side. This will open your main analytics dashboard.
You can either open an existing Standard Report (such as Appointments by Service or Revenue by Invoice) or go to the Custom Reports section if you want to create a report from scratch.
NOTE: For a refresher, check out How to Generate a Standard Report or How to Create a Custom Report from Scratch.
Step 2: Add custom fields to your report
Once you’re in a report:
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Click the Edit Columns button in the top-right.
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Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find your custom field.
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Tick the checkbox next to the field to include it.
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Click Save — your report will refresh with the field added.
Custom fields can be added to many types of reports, including:
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Client reports (e.g. Clients Without Upcoming Appointments)
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Appointment reports (e.g. Appointments by Employee)
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Financial reports (e.g. Invoice Reports or Revenue by Raised Invoices)
You’ll need to make sure your custom field is linked to the relevant area (e.g. client profile, service, invoice) in order for it to appear.
Step 3: Sort or filter using custom fields
In most cases, you can click the arrow icon next to the custom field name in the table header to sort the column (ascending or descending).
You can also click Filter on the top-right to add specific criteria (e.g. Custom Field = “VIP”).
NOTE: If you haven’t created your custom fields yet, start by following this guide on setting up data fields and labels.
Limitations: Fields that can’t be sorted or filtered
Some custom fields do not support ascending/descending sorting. This typically includes:
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Long text fields
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Multi-select dropdowns
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Tags
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System-generated text that isn’t stored as a clean field (e.g. notes or descriptions)
When this is the case, you’ll see that clicking the up/down arrow next to the field does nothing — or the data will not re-order as expected.
If your report seems “jumbled” or unresponsive when sorting, try testing the field in another report type or converting it into a shorter or single-select format.
Troubleshooting Tips
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Can’t find your custom field? Make sure it’s assigned to the correct area of the system (e.g. client, service, invoice).
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Fields not sorting properly? Try reloading the report or testing in another browser.
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Filtering not working as expected? Check the field type — some field types (like notes or free-text) do not support filtering.
If you're having trouble sorting by date in a report, try clicking the up/down arrows on the column header. If the arrows don’t appear, refresh the report or check if the column supports sorting.
If you're still having issues, you can always create a custom report tailored to your needs: How to Save a Standard Report as a Custom Report.
Useful Resources
Custom fields are a powerful way to tailor your reports to your clinic’s unique workflows — but they’re only as useful as the data you collect. Make sure your team is consistently filling in key fields, and review your reports regularly to spot trends, track performance, and make informed decisions.
For more guides, refer to related articles below, select additional guides, or use the search bar at the top of the page. These guides will help you get the most out of your Pabau account.
Additionally, to help you fully utilize and understand your Pabau account, we recommend exploring additional guides and resources offered at the Pabau Academy. It offers in-depth video tutorials and lessons, offering a holistic learning experience that can equip you with the essential skills for achieving success with Pabau.