File custom fields allow you to attach files directly to an item in Productive, making it easier to organize and manage supporting documents.
Unlike uploading files in the Feed, file custom fields store attachments in a structured way so they’re easy to find later.
You can add file custom fields to the following items in Productive:
Companies (CRM > Companies)
Contacts (CRM > Contacts)
Employees and contractors (Resourcing > Employees)
Deals (CRM > Deals)
Budgets (Financials > Budgets)
Expenses (Financials > Expenses)
Invoices (Financials > Invoices)
1) Go to Settings
Custom Fields
Navigate to Settings > Custom Fields and select the item you want to apply the field to (Companies, Contacts, Deals, Budgets) and click "Add new custom field."
Employee Fields
If you're adding the field for employees or contractors, go to Employee fields and click "Add new field."
2) Select the File Field
From the custom field menu, select the File field type.
3) Name and Configure the Field
First, give your custom field a name and provide a brief description. Once you're done, click "Create field" (or "Update field" if you're editing an existing one).
You can mark the field as sensitive by toggling the "Set as a sensitive field" option, which will restrict access to the field to certain users only.
4) Apply and Upload Files
Once created, the file custom field appears in the item’s details.
Employees, Contacts, Companies: Go to the Info tab of the employee, contractor, contact or company and upload the file.
Deals, Budgets: Locate the puzzle piece icon in the sidebar and upload your file there.
Expenses, Invoices: Upload files directly in the designated custom field area.
→ Employee custom field upload
→ Company custom field upload
→ Deal custom field upload
→ Budget custom field upload
→ Invoice custom field upload
→ Expense custom field upload
Alternative Method: Attaching PDFs Without Custom Fields
You can still attach documents in the Feed tab of budgets, invoices, purchase orders, or invoice payments. Files added here appear as comments, but won’t be organized into a structured field.
Usage Examples
Employees (Resourcing > Employees)
Use file custom fields to store signed employment agreements, certifications, or training records directly in each employee's profile, helping track essential HR documents.
Contractors (Resourcing > Employees)
For contractors, upload files like service agreements, invoices, or NDAs, keeping all contractor-related documents centralized and accessible.
Companies (CRM > Companies)
Attach files such as contracts, partnership agreements, or tax documents to each company profile in CRM, allowing quick access to essential documents related to your clients or partners.
Clients (CRM > Contacts)
Store important documents like SOWs, proposals, or client-specific requirements directly on the client’s CRM profile, making it easy to reference these files during project planning and review.
Contacts (CRM > Contacts)
Attach files to individual contacts within the CRM, such as contact-specific contracts, client communications, or meeting notes, ensuring relevant files are available when engaging with specific contacts.
Deals (CRM > Deals)
Attach documents like signed quotes, deal terms, or internal approval forms to each deal, helping your team stay informed and making it easy to locate key documents during deal negotiations.
Budgets (Financials > Budgets)
Use file custom fields to store files such as budget approvals, client-signed estimates, or procurement-related documents, ensuring that all budget-related files are accessible directly from the budget view.
Invoices (Financials > Invoices)
Use file custom fields to attach signed invoices, client confirmations, or supporting documents, keeping all invoice-related files easily accessible within the invoice view.
Expenses (Financials > Expenses)
Use file custom fields to upload receipts, vendor bills, or proof-of-payment documents, ensuring all expense-related files are stored directly with the expense entry.