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. How to set up Custom Fields?
3. 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, dietary preferences, 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. 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 — each option can also be translated.
4. Select a scope. Currently the only available scope is Reservation — your field will be linked to individual bookings, and a new answer can be collected for each reservation. Coming soon: Guest Profile scope.
5. Configure display options. Choose which surfaces show the field, and whether it is required:
      • Guest forms — shown to guests on the booking widget. You can mark the field as required.
      • Restaurant forms — shown to staff on the manual booking form inside ZenchefOS.
      • Reservation list

6. Click Save. Drag and drop to reorder fields.

    

3. Troubleshooting & FAQs

Troubleshooting

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

FAQ

• 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.
• Can I add custom fields to the guest profile?
  Not yet. Custom Fields are currently available on reservation forms only. Guest profile custom fields are planned for a future update.
• 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.