# Add metadata fields Metadata fields are required for templates, so they must be defined before creating templates. The metadata fields determine what data is collected from users. There are 5 types of metadata fields available; text, date, list, number and person. New field is created by clicking **+New field** in the metadata fields list. The top area is the same for all the field types. The field name is filled and the field type is selected from the list. The default field type is **Text**.

Each type has some field specific properties. If the metadata needs to be filled in free text format, select the field type **Text**, where as if you need to ensure that a value is entered in a certain way, select the field type **List** and define the entry values. The **Date** metadata type allows users to enter a date and the **Number** type is for entering a value in numeric format. The **Person** type is used when there is a need to capture a specific person or group as metadata. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://guide.signspace.com/en/managing-meta-data/add-metadata-fields.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.