What you’ll learn: How custom fields work as dynamic placeholders that automatically insert personalized information into your AI conversations.

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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.

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How Custom Fields Work 🔄

Here’s the simple process:
  1. You write a prompt with placeholders like {FirstName} and {AccountNumber}
  2. The system finds the user and looks up their information
  3. Custom fields get filled with real data from your database
  4. AI delivers personalized message using the actual user information
It’s like having a smart template that automatically personalizes itself for each person!

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Why Custom Fields Matter 🎯

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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

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The Solution With Custom Fields:

  • One prompt works for everyone
  • Information updates automatically
  • No more copy-paste errors
  • Fast, efficient, and accurate

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Basic Custom Field Examples

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Personal Information Fields

These are the most commonly used custom fields:
FieldWhat It DoesExample 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”

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Time and Date Fields (default)

These provide dynamic time information:
FieldWhat It DoesExample 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

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Account and Financial Fields

These are essential for business conversations:
FieldWhat It DoesExample Output
{AccountNumber}User’s account ID”Account 12345”
{AmountDue}Outstanding balance”Balance of $500.00”
{DueDate}Payment deadline”Due by March 30, 2024”

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Real-World Example

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Without Custom Fields (Static Script):

"Hello, this is Alex from Stone & Saunders. I'm calling regarding your account. 
Our records show an outstanding balance. Can we discuss this today?"
Problems: Generic, impersonal, no specific details

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With Custom Fields (Dynamic Script):

"Hello {FirstName}, this is Alex from Stone & Saunders. I'm calling regarding 
your account number {AccountNumber}. Our records show an outstanding balance 
of {AmountDue}. Can we discuss this today?"
Benefits: Personal, specific, professional, engaging

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What the User Actually Hears:

"Hello John, this is Alex from Stone & Saunders. I'm calling regarding 
your account number 12345. Our records show an outstanding balance 
of $500.00. Can we discuss this today?"

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How Custom Fields Make Conversations Better

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1. Personalization

  • User feels recognized and valued
  • Conversation feels natural and human
  • Higher engagement and response rates

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2. Accuracy

  • Information is always current
  • No outdated or incorrect details
  • Professional and trustworthy appearance

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3. Efficiency

  • One prompt works for everyone
  • No need to rewrite scripts
  • Easy to maintain and update

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4. Scalability

  • Handle thousands of users
  • Add new users without changing prompts
  • Consistent quality across all conversations

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Common Use Cases

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Debt Collection

"Hello {FirstName}, your outstanding balance of {AmountDue} on account 
{AccountNumber} is due by {DueDate}."

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Appointment Reminders

"Hi {FirstName}, this is a reminder about your appointment on {AppointmentDate} 
at {AppointmentTime} with Dr. {DoctorName}."

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Customer Service

"Thank you for calling, {FirstName}. I can see you're calling about 
order {OrderNumber} placed on {OrderDate}."

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Sales and Marketing

"Hello {FirstName}, I noticed you were interested in our {ProductName} 
service. Based on your location in {City}, I think this would be perfect for you."

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Important Rules to Remember

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🚨 Critical: No Spaces in Field Names

Custom fields are space-sensitive and must follow strict naming rules:
✅ Correct❌ WrongWhy It Matters
{FirstName}{First Name}Spaces cause errors
{AccountNumber}{Account Number}System can’t find the field
{AmountDue}{Amount Due}Data retrieval fails

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✅ Use Underscores Instead of Spaces

When you need multiple words, connect them with underscores: 
{Account_Number}    ✅ Correct
{Payment_Amount}    ✅ Correct
{Due_Date}          ✅ Correct

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Getting Started with Custom Fields

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Step 1: Identify Your Data

  • What information do you have about users?
  • What details would make conversations more personal?
  • What data changes frequently?

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Step 2: Choose Field Names

  • Use clear, descriptive names
  • Always use underscores instead of spaces
  • Keep names consistent across your system

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Step 3: Test Your Fields

  • Verify that data populates correctly
  • Check for any naming errors
  • Ensure the conversation flows naturally

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Next Steps

Now that you understand the basics of custom fields:
  1. Review your current prompts - Identify where personalization would help
  2. List your available data - What user information can you access?
  3. Start with simple fields - Begin with {FirstName} and {today}
  4. 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.