What you’ll learn: How custom fields work as dynamic placeholders that automatically insert personalized information into your AI conversations.
What Are Custom Fields?
Custom fields are like smart placeholders that you put inside your AI prompt. Think of them as empty boxes that automatically fill up with specific information about each user when the AI talks to them. Instead of writing the same script for everyone, custom fields let you create one prompt that works for thousands of users by automatically including their personal details.How Custom Fields Work 🔄
Here’s the simple process:- You write a prompt with placeholders like
{FirstName}and{AccountNumber} - The system finds the user and looks up their information
- Custom fields get filled with real data from your database
- AI delivers personalized message using the actual user information
Why Custom Fields Matter 🎯
The Problem Without Custom Fields:
- Writing separate scripts for every single user
- Manually updating information for each call
- Risk of errors when copying and pasting details
- Time-consuming and inefficient process
The Solution With Custom Fields:
- One prompt works for everyone
- Information updates automatically
- No more copy-paste errors
- Fast, efficient, and accurate
Basic Custom Field Examples
Personal Information Fields
These are the most commonly used custom fields:| Field | What It Does | Example Output |
|---|---|---|
{FirstName} | Inserts the user’s first name | ”Hello John” |
{LastName} | Inserts the user’s last name | ”Mr. Smith” |
{FullName} | Inserts complete name | ”John Smith” |
Time and Date Fields (default)
These provide dynamic time information:| Field | What It Does | Example Output |
|---|---|---|
{today} | Current date | ”Today is March 15, 2024” |
{time_zone} | User’s time zone | ”Your time zone is +05:00” |
The field
today should be left blank when trying to make a call either via Agent Call, Campaign Run, Or API. Vodex will fill it automatically using time_zone field The
time_zone field must be a valid time zone field. The time zone can be Asia/Kolkata or +05:30. If any other is provided, an unexpected error Something went wrong will be thrown Account and Financial Fields
These are essential for business conversations:| Field | What It Does | Example Output |
|---|---|---|
{AccountNumber} | User’s account ID | ”Account 12345” |
{AmountDue} | Outstanding balance | ”Balance of $500.00” |
{DueDate} | Payment deadline | ”Due by March 30, 2024” |
Real-World Example
Without Custom Fields (Static Script):
With Custom Fields (Dynamic Script):
What the User Actually Hears:
How Custom Fields Make Conversations Better
1. Personalization
- User feels recognized and valued
- Conversation feels natural and human
- Higher engagement and response rates
2. Accuracy
- Information is always current
- No outdated or incorrect details
- Professional and trustworthy appearance
3. Efficiency
- One prompt works for everyone
- No need to rewrite scripts
- Easy to maintain and update
4. Scalability
- Handle thousands of users
- Add new users without changing prompts
- Consistent quality across all conversations
Common Use Cases
Debt Collection
Appointment Reminders
Customer Service
Sales and Marketing
Important Rules to Remember
🚨 Critical: No Spaces in Field Names
Custom fields are space-sensitive and must follow strict naming rules:| ✅ Correct | ❌ Wrong | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
{FirstName} | {First Name} | Spaces cause errors |
{AccountNumber} | {Account Number} | System can’t find the field |
{AmountDue} | {Amount Due} | Data retrieval fails |
✅ Use Underscores Instead of Spaces
When you need multiple words, connect them with underscores:Getting Started with Custom Fields
Step 1: Identify Your Data
- What information do you have about users?
- What details would make conversations more personal?
- What data changes frequently?
Step 2: Choose Field Names
- Use clear, descriptive names
- Always use underscores instead of spaces
- Keep names consistent across your system
Step 3: Test Your Fields
- Verify that data populates correctly
- Check for any naming errors
- Ensure the conversation flows naturally
Next Steps
Now that you understand the basics of custom fields:- Review your current prompts - Identify where personalization would help
- List your available data - What user information can you access?
- Start with simple fields - Begin with
{FirstName}and{today} - Test and expand - Add more fields as you become comfortable
Ready to personalize your AI conversations? Custom fields are the key to making your prompts dynamic, engaging, and professional. Start implementing them today to see immediate improvements in user engagement and conversation quality.
Need help with best practices? Check out our Custom Fields Best Practices guide to learn how to use custom fields effectively and avoid common mistakes.