---
title: "Set up skill types"
slug: "set-up-skill-types"
tags: ["How-to", "Totara Skills"]
updated: 2026-10-08T07:25:59Z
published: 2026-10-08T07:25:59Z
canonical: "totara.help/set-up-skill-types"
---

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

# Set up skill types

Skill types allow you to create custom fields and apply those fields to skills set up within your [skill framework](/totara-20/docs/set-up-skill-frameworks).

## Create a skill type

To create a skill type, follow these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu > Skills > Manage types.*
2. Click **Add a new type**.
3. Enter a name in the **Type full name** field.
4. Optionally enter a **Skill type ID number**.
5. Optionally add a **Skill Type Description**.
6. Click **Save changes**.

![Skill types page listing types with ID numbers, skill counts, and action options.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-94FDC7YO.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T17%3A00%3A31Z&se=2026-11-01T18%3A00%3A31Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=yltDkq%2BYL0y1%2F3KWQNuQ%2FBCVgCbd%2FoeO85jdy9fNEPM%3D)

Your skill type is now set up and can be used to classify skill items in your framework(s).

Types are optional and can be [associated with a skill](/totara-20/docs/assign-skill-types-to-a-competency-1) when it is being added or edited.

The type names and their custom fields can also be displayed in user reports built through the report builder.

## Edit a skill type

You can edit an existing skill type by following these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu > Skills > Manage types.*
2. Click the cog icon ( ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-Y8KB61XQ.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T17%3A00%3A31Z&se=2026-11-01T18%3A00%3A31Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=yltDkq%2BYL0y1%2F3KWQNuQ%2FBCVgCbd%2FoeO85jdy9fNEPM%3D) ) in the **Actions** column for the skill type you wish to edit.
3. Make the required changes.
4. Click **Save changes**.

## Add a custom field to a skill type

Custom fields are specific to the skill type they are set up under. When you assign a type to a skill item, the skill item inherits the custom fields associated with the skill type.

To create a custom field, follow these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu > Skills > Manage types.*
2. Click the name of the type in which you want to add a custom field.
3. Select the **Create a new custom field** dropdown box and choose which [custom field type](/totara-20/docs/set-up-skill-types#custom-field-types-and-specific-settings) you wish to set up.
4. Configure the [general settings](/totara-20/docs/set-up-skill-types#custom-field-settings).
5. Complete the [specific settings](/totara-20/docs/set-up-skill-types#custom-field-types-and-specific-settings) required for the custom field you have selected.
6. Click **Save changes**.

Your custom field is now set up. You can set up as many custom fields under each type as required to hold the specific information for your skills.

### Custom field general settings

The following general settings can be configured for skill type custom fields.

| **Setting** | **Description** | **Notes** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full name | The name of the custom field - this should be descriptive. | - |
| Short name | This is the unique short name. | - |
| Is this field required? | When set to **Yes** the field is compulsory. | Note that this setting cannot be changed for **Decimal input** and **Integer input** custom fields, as it’s important that empty strings are not stored for these field types. |
| Is this field locked? | When set to **Yes** the field only displays the information set when the field was set up. | - |
| Should the data be unique? | When set to **Yes** the field only accepts unique values. | - |
| Hidden on the settings page? | When set to **Yes** the field is not displayed on the skill framework overview page. | - |

### Custom field types and specific settings

The following custom field types can be used, with specific settings available for individual field types.

| **Custom field type** | **Description** | **Specific settings** | **Notes** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Checkbox | A check or tick box field. | Select whether the checkbox should be checked/selected by default. | - |
| Date and Time | A day, month, year, hour and minute selector. | Enter the **Start year** and **End year** to set the range of dates available. Check the **Include time?** box to include the hour and minute selector. | Users must **Enable** the field to use. |
| Decimal input | Allows the user to enter a decimal value. | Enter a **Default value**, and optionally enter a **Minimum value** and **Maximum value**. Enter a **Step** value, which sets the acceptable increments (e.g. a **Step** value of 0.5 will allow inputs such as -1.0, -0.5, 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, etc.). Enter the accepted number of **Decimal points**. | - |
| File | Adds a standard file upload field. | - | Any number of files can be added to this area. |
| Integer input | Allows the user to enter a whole number. | Enter a **Default value**, and optionally enter a **Minimum value** and **Maximum value**. Enter a **Step** value, which sets the acceptable increments (e.g. a **Step** value of 5 will allow inputs such as -5, 0, 5, 10, 15, etc.). | - |
| Location | Provides an address field and an optional Google Maps location. | Optionally default values for: - Address - Map size - Map view - Display - Map location | You can set the map location using an address entered above or search for an address, town or city. If you want to refine the location of the Google Maps pin, you can do so by clicking on it while holding the mouse button, moving the pin and then releasing the mouse button. |
| Menu of choices | A dropdown field with single option selection. | Enter one or more **Menu options** in the box provided with one item per line. Optionally set a **Default value** in the box under the list of **Menu options**. | - |
| Multi-select | A tick box to select one or many options. A custom image may be added for each option. | Enter one or more **Menu options** in the fields provided. Add more menu options using the **Add another option** link. Optionally add icons for each option via the **Choose icon** link and/or make one option **Selected by default**. | Deleting menu options from custom field settings will not remove it from the records where it is currently selected. Custom icons can be uploaded via *Quick-access menu >* *Courses and categories > Courses > Custom icons.* |
| Text area | A free text area with the default HTML editor. | Optionally set a **Default value** for the contents of the text box. Specify the width of the text area via the **Columns** area and the height via **Rows**. | If a text editor plugin is applied to the text area, the width will be determined by the plugin, and changing this value may have no effect. |
| Text input | A single line of text for short amounts of text. | Optionally set a **Default value** for the contents of the text field. Optionally set the **Display** **size** by entering the maximum number of characters this field will display. Optionally set the **Maximum** **length** by entering the number of characters this field will accept. Optionally enter a **Regular expression validation** and the **Description of the regular expression validation format**. | A regular expression can be used to ensure entered text is in the expected format. For example **/^[0-9]{3}$/** will ensure that the text consists of exactly three numbers. This validation is performed only when submitting forms with custom fields, and current data is not affected after validation is changed. |
| URL | A weblink. | Enter the **URL** and optionally some **Default text**. Check the box for the link to **Open in a new window**. | - |

### 

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