How to create custom fields on Trello cards

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Custom fields in Trello are created through the Power-Ups menu by enabling the Custom Fields Power-Up. Once enabled, you can add various field types like text, numbers, dates, and dropdowns to your cards for better organization and data tracking.

Try Trello Full Trello Review

Prerequisites

Active Trello account
Access to a Trello board
Board administrator or owner permissions
Trello Power-Up capabilities enabled

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access the Power-Ups menu

Open your Trello board and click the Show Menu button in the top-right corner. Then click Power-Ups from the menu options. This will open the Power-Ups directory where you can browse and enable additional features for your board.

Make sure you have board administrator permissions to enable Power-Ups

Enable Custom Fields Power-Up

In the Power-Ups directory, search for Custom Fields or scroll down to find it in the list. Click the Add button next to Custom Fields Power-Up. The Power-Up will be automatically enabled for your board and appear in your board's Power-Ups list.

Custom Fields is a free Power-Up available on all Trello plans

Access Custom Fields settings

After enabling the Power-Up, click Show Menu again and you'll see Custom Fields appear in the menu. Click on Custom Fields to open the settings panel where you can create and manage your custom fields.

Create your first custom field

In the Custom Fields panel, click + Add Field. Enter a name for your field in the Field Name input box. Choose the field type from the dropdown menu: Text, Number, Date, Checkbox, or Dropdown. Click Save to create the field.

Choose field names that clearly describe the data you want to track

Configure dropdown options (if applicable)

If you selected Dropdown as your field type, you'll need to add options. Click + Add an option and enter the option name. You can also assign colors to each option by clicking the colored circle next to the option name. Add multiple options as needed, then click Save.

Use consistent naming conventions for dropdown options across your boards

Add custom fields to cards

Open any card on your board by clicking on it. In the card details, you'll see a Custom Fields section. Click on the field you want to populate and enter the appropriate data based on the field type. For dropdown fields, select from the available options. For date fields, use the date picker.

Custom fields can be bulk-edited using Trello's Butler automation

View custom fields on board

Return to your board view and you'll see the custom fields displayed on the card fronts. You can toggle the visibility of custom fields by going to Menu > Custom Fields and using the eye icon next to each field name. Click Show on front of cards to display or hide fields on the board view.

Limit the number of visible custom fields on card fronts to avoid clutter

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Custom Fields Power-Up is not available

Ensure you have the necessary permissions on the board. Only board admins and owners can enable Power-Ups. If you're not an admin, request permission from the board owner.

Custom fields not appearing on cards

Check that the fields are set to Show on front of cards in the Custom Fields settings. Go to Menu > Custom Fields and toggle the visibility using the eye icon next to each field.

Cannot edit or delete custom fields

Only board admins can modify custom field settings. If you need to edit fields, contact your board administrator or check your board permissions in Menu > Settings.

Custom field data not saving

Refresh your browser and try again. If the issue persists, disable and re-enable the Custom Fields Power-Up in Menu > Power-Ups. Note that this will remove existing custom field data.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Trello website before purchasing.

Visit Trello View Trello Pricing