---
title: "Create Custom Attributes"
slug: "create-custom-attributes"
updated: 2025-01-30T07:54:55Z
published: 2025-01-30T07:54:55Z
---

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

# Create Custom Attributes

## Goal​

To create a custom attribute.

## Background Information ​

Custom profile attributes allow you to store specific data about contacts, enabling tailored digital marketing strategies. These attributes are flexible and can store relevant information, such as household size, income bracket, or education level. They can also track message activity, conversion data, and more.

Attributes can be system-wide or limited to specific channels, with customizable data types and enumerations for added functionality. For more details, see [Profile Attributes](https://docs.mapp.com/v1/docs/profile-attributes).

## Procedure​ (manual)

Create a Custom Attribute in the System Interface

1. Navigate to *​Administration​ > ​Attributes > Profile Attributes*.
2. Click **​Create new Attribute.**
3. In the **Name** field, enter a unique name for the custom attribute.

> [!NOTE]
> Note:
> 
> - Attribute names must be unique and are not case-sensitive.
> - Avoid spaces and special characters to prevent data import issues. Use only ASCII characters.
> - Names can have a maximum length of 80 characters.
4. Select the **Data Type** from the drop-down list (e.g., String, Boolean, Number, Date).
5. If the attribute is channel-specific, enable the **Channels** toggle and select the applicable channels. Leave it disabled for system-wide availability.
6. Enable the **Enumeration** toggle if enumeration is needed. For details, visit [Attribute Enumeration Management](https://docs.mapp.com/v1/docs/attribute-enumeration-management).
7. Click **Save & Close**. When the attribute is successfully created, the system will send an email confirmation to the user.

## Using Imports to Create Custom Attributes

In Mapp Engage, you can create custom attributes by importing correctly formatted CSV or XML files. Two import types are available:

- **​Automated** import:​ [​Automate Contact File Import​](/v1/docs/automate-contact-file-import)
- **​Manual import:​** [​Import Contacts​](/v1/docs/import-contacts)

### CSV Import​

Custom attributes can also be created via correctly formatted CSV or XML files.

**CSV Import:**

- Permissions: You need **Permission 236 - Data Import and Export** to add new attribute metadata.
- By default, CSV imports create enumerated attributes, with an enumeration value for each unique value in the CSV column.
- Header format for custom attributes: `user.CustomAttribute.X` (replace `X` with the attribute name).
  - If the attribute exists, values are added to it.
  - If the attribute does not exist, it will be created using the header name.

**Sample CSV Structure:**

```perl
"user.Email","user.CustomAttribute.city","user.CustomAttribute.product"
"Jane_Miller@email.com","New York","Gadget"
```

For more information, see [Automate Contact File Import](https://docs.mapp.com/v1/docs/automate-contact-file-import) and [Import Contacts](https://docs.mapp.com/v1/docs/import-contacts).

### XML Import​

- New attributes can be defined directly in the contact data import file using the `namedattr-definition` element.
- Define the attribute’s **enumeration**, **data type**, and **name** in the XML.

**Sample XML Structure:**

```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<userdata xmlns="http://webservices.ecircle-ag.com">
    <namedattr-definition name="city" type="string" enum="true"/>
    <namedattr-definition name="income" type="number" enum="false"/>
    <namedattr-definition name="optInDate" type="date" enum="false"/>
</userdata>
```

**Attribute Descriptions:**

- `enum`: Defines if the attribute is enumerated (`true` or `false`).
- `type`: Specifies the data type (e.g., `string`, `boolean`, `number`, `date`).
- `name`: Specifies the attribute name.

**Notes:**

- An error occurs if the data type of an existing attribute is specified in the XML file.
- XML imports can include new attributes and contact data in the same file.

For more information, see [Import Contacts](https://docs.mapp.com/v1/docs/import-contacts).

## Related

- [Update Custom User Attributes in Engage Using the Intelligence Pixel](/update-custom-user-attributes-in-engage-using-the-intelligence-pixel.md)