---
title: "DocTypes"
space: "Frappe Framework"
url: "https://www.prilk.com/docs/frappe-framework/doctypes"
updated: "2026-05-14"
---

## DocTypes

A **DocType** is Frappe's core model — like a database table, but with a schema, permissions, lifecycle hooks, and a generated UI.

### What a DocType has

| Property | Purpose |
|---|---|
| **Name** | Singular form by convention (Sales Invoice, not Sales Invoices) |
| **Module** | Which app/module it belongs to |
| **Fields** | Columns — each has a type, label, and properties (see [Field Types](#field-types) below) |
| **Permissions** | Per-role access rules |
| **Naming** | How new records get their primary key (Naming Series, hash, by-field) |
| **Workflow** | Optional state machine |

### Types of DocType

| Type | Use |
|---|---|
| **Document** | Has a DB table; users create many records |
| **Single** | One record only — for settings (System Settings, Email Settings) |
| **Child Table** | Embedded inside a parent — Sales Invoice Item lives in Sales Invoice |
| **Submittable** | Has a Submit action; submitted records are immutable, changes require Cancel + Amend |

### Standard vs Custom

| Type | Origin |
|---|---|
| **Standard** | Defined by an app — shipped with code in `<app>/<module>/doctype/` |
| **Custom** | Created in the Desk by an admin — stored in the database |

For one-off needs, a Custom DocType is fast. For reusable models across multiple sites, write a Frappe app. See [Developers](/docs/frappe-ecosystem/developers).

### Naming conventions
- DocTypes are singular: `Sales Invoice`, not `Sales Invoices`
- Field names are snake_case: `customer_name`, `posting_date`
- Use **Title Case** in labels (what users see) and **snake_case** in fieldnames (what code uses)

---

## Field Types

When defining a DocType, every field has a type that controls storage and rendering.

### Text & content

| Type | Storage | Use |
|---|---|---|
| **Data** | varchar(140) | Short strings — names, codes |
| **Small Text** | text | Up to ~64KB |
| **Long Text** | longtext | Up to 4GB — articles, content |
| **Text Editor** | longtext | Rich HTML editing |
| **Code** | longtext | Code with syntax highlighting |
| **Markdown Editor** | longtext | Markdown with preview |
| **HTML Editor** | longtext | Direct HTML editing |

### Numbers

| Type | Storage | Use |
|---|---|---|
| **Int** | int | Whole numbers |
| **Float** | float | Floating-point |
| **Currency** | decimal(18,6) | Monetary — locale-formatted |
| **Percent** | float | Shown with % suffix |

### Dates

| Type | Format |
|---|---|
| **Date** | YYYY-MM-DD |
| **Time** | HH:MM:SS |
| **Datetime** | YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS |
| **Duration** | Hours/minutes/seconds — interval |

### Selection & links

| Type | Use |
|---|---|
| **Select** | Drop-down with a fixed list of options |
| **Link** | Link to another DocType — autocomplete |
| **Dynamic Link** | Link where the target DocType is itself a field |
| **Table** | Child table — embedded list of records |
| **Table MultiSelect** | Multi-select from another DocType |
| **Autocomplete** | Free text with suggestions |

### Files & media

| Type | Use |
|---|---|
| **Attach** | File link — stores URL |
| **Attach Image** | Same with image preview |
| **Color** | Color picker — hex value |
| **Signature** | Drawing canvas, stored as image |

### Layout

| Type | Use |
|---|---|
| **Section Break** | Visual grouping |
| **Column Break** | New column in current section |
| **Tab Break** | Top-level tab |
| **Fold** | Collapsible group |
| **HTML** | Static HTML in the form |
| **Heading** | Visual heading |

### Special

| Type | Use |
|---|---|
| **Check** | Boolean — 0 or 1 |
| **Password** | Encrypted at rest |
| **JSON** | Stores valid JSON; validated on save |
| **Geolocation** | Map picker |
| **Rating** | Star rating widget |
| **Read Only** | Pure-display, no input |
| **Barcode** | Renders barcode from value |