Custom Fields: create and manage fields on your reservation form

In this article, you will find everything you need to know about Custom Fields: what they are, how to set them up, and how they work for you and your guests.

Summary 

1. What are Custom Fields and why use them?
2. Reservation fields and guest profile fields
3. How to set up Custom Fields?
4. Troubleshooting & FAQs

1. What are Custom Fields and why use them?

Collect exactly the information your restaurant needs, directly on the reservation form.

Every restaurant has different operational needs. Custom Fields lets you design your reservation form to match your workflow: capture postal codes, B2B billing details, or any other information relevant to your operations. Each field can be set as required or optional, shown or hidden per surface, and translated so international guests always see labels in their own language.

Available field types:
• Text: free-text answer
• Dropdown: predefined options list
• Checkbox: yes/no or opt-in
• Number: numeric answer (postal code, headcount, etc.)
• Date: date picker

Responses are visible in the reservation list and in CSV and PDF exports.

2. Reservation fields and guest profile fields

Same setup, two different uses. When you create a field, you choose the scope it applies to.

Reservation fields are tied to an individual booking. A new answer can be collected for every reservation, and answers are visible in the reservation list and in CSV and PDF exports. Use them for anything specific to a single visit, such as the number of guests in the party or a special request for that booking.

Reservation fields are included in: Manage, Grow (not available on Reserve)

Guest profile fields are tied to the guest. The answer is stored on the guest profile, is visible to your whole team on every future booking, and can be edited directly from the guest profile at any time. If a guest submits a new answer, it replaces the previous one. Guest profile answers are included in the guest profiles export. Use them for information that stays true for a guest across visits, such as seating preferences, accessibility needs, or zip code.

Guest profile fields are included in: Grow, or available with the Marketing Add-on

3. How to set up Custom Fields?

Create and configure your fields in a few clicks, directly from Settings.

1. Go to Settings > Reserve > Reservation form > Custom fields, then click + Add a field.
2. Enter a label. Write the name guests and staff will see on the form. Click Translate to add a translation for each language your booking widget supports.
3. Choose a field type. Select from Text, Dropdown, Checkbox, Number, or Date. For Dropdown fields, add the options guests can choose from, and each option can also be translated.
4. Select a scope. Choose the scope your field applies to:
• Reservation: your field will be linked to individual bookings, and a new answer can be collected for each reservation.
• Guest Profile: your field will be linked to the guest, and the answer is stored on their profile and stays with them across visits.
5. Configure display options. Choose which surfaces show the field, and whether it is required:
• Widget: shown to guests on the booking widget. You can mark the field as required.
• Reservation Form: shown to staff on the manual booking form inside ZenchefOS.
• Reservation list
6. Click Save. Drag and drop to reorder fields.

4. Troubleshooting & FAQs

Troubleshooting

• A field I created is not appearing on the booking widget. Check display options. Make sure "Widget" is toggled on.
• My field labels appear in the wrong language. Add a translation in the field config (Label, then Translate). If no translation exists, the label defaults to the original language.

 

FAQ

• What is the difference between a reservation field and a guest profile field? A reservation field collects an answer for a single booking. A guest profile field stores the answer on the guest, so it stays with them across every visit.
• What happens to custom fields my Zenchef account manager / ZC support set up for me? They remain active and unchanged. Contact support if you need to edit them, or wait for the upcoming migration to the new system.
• Where do guest profile answers appear? On the guest profile, where your team can view and edit them, and in the guest profiles export.
• Can I edit a guest profile answer myself? Yes. Your staff can edit guest profile answers directly from the guest profile.
• My field is not showing on the booking widget. Check that the field is configured to appear on the booking widget. Allow up to 15 minutes for changes to take effect.
• Can I reorder my custom fields? Yes. Drag and drop fields in the list. The order updates immediately.
• Can I delete a field I no longer need? Yes. Deleting a field removes it from future reservations. Answers already collected for past reservations are preserved.