> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.jelou.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Collections

> Create and configure collections to organize your data with typed fields, validations, and indexes

A **collection** is the equivalent of a table in a traditional database. Each collection has fields (columns) with specific data types and stores records (rows) that you can create, search, edit, and delete.

## Creating a collection

<Frame caption="Form for creating a new collection with default fields">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/jelouai/daUUvITM1J6ByU2U/assets/images/datum/new-collection.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=daUUvITM1J6ByU2U&q=85&s=3b659bfc208f0567737b375c27a33536" alt="Create Collection dialog with name, Base type, id/created/updated fields, and option to create indexes" width="3024" height="1730" data-path="assets/images/datum/new-collection.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click + New collection">
    In the left sidebar, click the **+ New collection** button located at the bottom of the collections panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the basic details">
    Fill in the following fields:

    * **Name** — Collection name (required, e.g. "customers", "products")
    * **Type** — Collection type (Base by default)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add fields">
    Every new collection includes three automatic fields:

    * **id** — Unique record identifier (auto-generated)
    * **created** — Record creation date (Autodate)
    * **updated** — Date of last update (Autodate)

    Click **+ New field** to add your own fields.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the collection">
    Click **Create** to confirm.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Field types

Each field has a type that determines what data it can store and what validations apply:

| Type         | Description                                                                              |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Text**     | Text strings (5,000 characters maximum by default)                                       |
| **Editor**   | Rich formatted text (bold, lists, links, etc.)                                           |
| **Number**   | Numeric values (integers or decimals)                                                    |
| **Boolean**  | True/false values                                                                        |
| **Email**    | Email addresses with format validation                                                   |
| **URL**      | URLs with format validation                                                              |
| **Date**     | Date and time set manually by the user on each record                                    |
| **Autodate** | Date and time assigned automatically by the system (e.g. `created` and `updated` fields) |
| **Select**   | Selection of one option from a predefined list                                           |
| **Relation** | Reference to records in another collection                                               |
| **File**     | File attachments                                                                         |
| **JSON**     | Structured data in JSON format                                                           |
| **GeoPoint** | Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude)                                          |
| **Password** | Masked text for storing passwords or secrets                                             |

## Configuring fields

Click the gear icon (⚙) on any field to view its configuration options. Options vary depending on the field type.

For **Text** type fields:

* **Min length / Max length** — Minimum and maximum text length (5,000 characters maximum by default)
* **Validation pattern** — Regular expression to validate the format (e.g. `^[a-z0-9]+$`)
* **Nonempty** — Marks the field as required
* **Hidden** — Hides the field in the user interface
* **Presentable** — Marks the field as the representative field of the record

<Warning>
  You can change the type of an existing field from the type dropdown in the collection settings. Keep in mind that changing the type may affect existing data.
</Warning>

## Reordering fields

Click **Reorder fields** inside the collection settings to change the order in which fields appear in the table and in forms.

## Indexes and unique constraints

At the bottom of the collection settings you will find the **Unique constraints and indexes** section. Indexes improve query performance on fields that are frequently filtered or searched.

Click **Create index** to add a new index to your collection.

## Collection settings

<Frame caption="Collection settings panel with field list and types">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/jelouai/daUUvITM1J6ByU2U/assets/images/datum/collection-settings.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=daUUvITM1J6ByU2U&q=85&s=8f7870dc4ad44e2917691f49e3b625c6" alt="Collection settings panel showing name, type, field list with their types and configuration options" width="3024" height="1730" data-path="assets/images/datum/collection-settings.png" />
</Frame>

Click the gear icon (⚙) next to the collection name at the top to access the full settings. From here you can:

* Rename the collection
* Add, edit, or delete fields
* Reorder fields
* Create indexes

The **⋯** menu in the upper-right corner of the settings offers additional management options.

<Warning>
  From this menu you can permanently delete the collection. This action deletes all records and cannot be undone.
</Warning>