> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/private-panels/panel-management/panel-properties.md).

# Panel properties

Panel properties are used to store data on panelists so that you can [easily filter and identify the best participants](/private-panels/panel-management/panel-filters-and-segments.md) for your upcoming studies. There a few ways to add panel properties to track more details about your panelists. Panel properties are intimately tied to [uploading panelists](/private-panels/panel-management/create-upload-and-manage-panelists.md) and [creating surveys](/private-panels/screeners/create-a-private-panels-screener.md).

## Data Types

| Type                     | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Text                     | Good for storing short open-ended data, such as first name, last name, email, address, and more. Max length is 299 characters.                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Long Text                | Good for storing long open-ended data. Max length is 50,000 characters. *Note: It is not possible to change the type of this Panel Property after it is created.*                                                                                                                                   |
| Number                   | Constrained to storing numbers, such as year of birth, annual salary, or number of children.                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Date                     | Constrained to store a date value, such as Date of Birth, or Last Contacted At.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| True or False            | Stores two options, true or false. This can be used in place of "yes" and "no".                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| Single-select (Dropdown) | Stores a closed-ended list of options, only one can be chosen for the panelist. Good for storing pre-defined lists of data which you want to keep standard, and filter for in the future - such as gender, country, income range, or highest level of education.                                    |
| Multi-select (Checkbox)  | Stores a closed-ended list of options, multiple values can be chosen for the panelist. Good for storing pre-defined lists of data which you want to keep standard, and filter for in the future - such as types of cars owned, interests, subscribed-to streaming services, or alcohol preferences. |

## How to create a panel property

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Go to **Panel Panel Properties**, then click **New Property**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Write a **Title**, and select a **Type**.

* If this is a *single-select* or *multi-select* property, you will then define **Options**.
* The Label should be "human-readable text" (e.g. Full Time Employed), and can be changed. The Value is auto-generated, and can not be changed.
* Here is an example of how to create an "Employment Status" single-select property.

<div align="left"><img src="/files/d87d1868f3c8b6a664f854d02c880f24a6bb4401" alt="" width="375"></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
The new field will be available for all past and future panelists.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Defining multiple choice properties from existing panel data

Data uploaded into your panel can get messy fast, so if you are uploading a closed-ended property such as Gender, this is the way to configure it. Here's how you can change a text property type to either a single select or multi-select property type and use previously collected data for that panel property as options:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Go to **Panel Panel Properties**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the **Edit** button for the custom text panel property you'd like to convert to either a single select or multi-select property type.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
The Edit property window will pop up. From here, click the drop-down button below **Type** then select your preferred type.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Populate options using panelist data**.

<div align="left"><img src="/files/b3ccba7a67098240a4ae466923954a1f232fcc08" alt="" width="375"></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Data collected from previous surveys for that panelist property will automatically be added as options.

<div align="left"><img src="/files/77f4b267f8a4dfb3c5d9b36013df2339e97c1f79" alt="" width="375"></div>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Other places to create a panel property

### In Panel Panelists

When viewing your panel, you can add a custom field by clicking the drop-down button at the top right of the page. Then, click **+ Add Property.**

![](/files/5e8eb93c33a2eab3060742383b71f9e7c1fadf18)

### In Panelist Profile

Similar to the previous process, you can find the **+ Add Panelist Property** button within the panelist view by scrolling to the bottom of a single panelist’s profile.

![](/files/cdad825aebc77ebb6e7c51d8cb9660756eb3c977)

### In a screener

Follow [this article](/private-panels/panel-management/two-way-panel-property-sync.md) on **Two-way sync** in a survey.

## Delete Panel Property

To delete a custom field, you can navigate to your **Panel Panel Properties**. Here you can select to delete any of the panel properties you created.

![](/files/17c10896dbb0af88372e2f392255cf196c3e8931)

Navigate to the field in question (note that default properties like First Name, Last Name, Email and Phone Number cannot be deleted).

![](/files/8cfa38a93c66207ed128aefaf31bdc486fdbd64a)

## Panel Property Groups

Panel properties can be organized into groups. The screenshot below illustrates 3 example groups: Contact Info, Engagement, and General.

![](/files/afc2eebec17d9535f75c043d59793c1da662bc05)

You can also drag & drop the groups to set a **custom order** of how they show up on a panelist profile.

![](/files/18071b8f4e97d53cfec163790f3a05550be968d1)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Private Panels was previously managed outside of Dscout, so you may see a different logo and URL in some places. If you have any questions, contact <support@dscout.com>.
{% endhint %}


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