Who This Is For / When to Use
This article is for account admins who need to:
Store structured data beyond Contacts, Companies, and Opportunities
Create new data entities with their own fields and relationships
Manage, edit, or remove custom objects safely
Use SmartLists to view and share custom object records
What Are Custom Objects
Custom objects are user-defined data structures that:
Appear across the platform (navigation, filters, reports, dashboards)
Support custom fields and associations
Can be used in workflows, automations, and reporting
You can also rename standard objects (Contacts, Opportunities, Companies) to match your business terminology.
Step 1: Navigate to Custom Objects
Go to Settings in your account.
Select Objects.
Review existing standard and custom objects.
Click Add Custom Object.
Step 2: Create a New Custom Object
When creating a custom object, all required fields must be completed.
Required Fields
Custom Object (Singular): The name of a single record (example: Pet)
Custom Object (Plural): The name used for lists and navigation (example: Pets)
Primary Display Field Name: The main identifier shown for each record (example: Pet Name)
Field Type: Data type for the primary display field (example: Single Line Text Field)
Optional Fields
Icon: Visual identifier for the object
Custom Object Description: Short explanation of what the object represents
Click Create Custom Object to finish.
Step 3: Understand Internal Names and Locking Rules
Internal names for the object and its primary display field are auto-generated.
You can edit internal names before saving by clicking the
</>icon.Once the object is created, internal names and the primary display field cannot be changed.
This ensures system stability across workflows, reports, and integrations.
Step 4: Edit an Existing Custom Object
Open Settings > Objects.
Click the custom object you want to update.
Open the Details tab.
Update the object name, description, or icon.
Click Save changes.
Step 5: Delete a Custom Object
Go to Settings > Objects.
Locate the custom object.
Click the three-dot menu.
Select Delete.
Type
DELETEto confirm.
Important Warning
Deleting a custom object is irreversible. This permanently removes:
All records in the object
All custom fields
All associations
All workflows and automations using the object
SmartLists for Custom Objects
SmartLists provide saved, shareable views of custom object records.
You can:
Apply advanced filters
Sort records
Choose visible columns
Save multiple personalized views
Managing SmartLists
From the SmartList menu, you can:
Duplicate lists
Export records
Manage sharing and permissions
Delete lists
Sharing SmartLists
SmartLists can be shared with:
All users (view-only)
Selected users (view or edit access)
Only admins can manage permissions and ownership.
Platform-Wide Behavior
Custom objects are available immediately after creation.
Updates reflect instantly across navigation, filters, reports, and dashboards.
Custom objects can be used in workflows, automations, and SmartLists.
FAQ
Who can create and edit custom objects?
Only account admins can create, edit, and delete custom objects. Non-admin users have read-only access.
Is there a limit to how many custom objects I can create?
Yes. Each account can have up to three custom objects.
What happens if I delete a custom object?
All records, fields, associations, and automations related to that custom object are permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
Can I edit the internal name of a custom object later?
No. Internal names and the primary display field are locked after creation.
What is a Primary Display Field?
The primary display field is the main identifier used to label records in lists, searches, and associations (example: Pet Name or Case Number).
Are custom object changes applied immediately?
Yes. All changes are applied instantly across the entire platform.