Remove custom columns in asset module
Overview
How do I create, show or hide, and remove custom attribute columns in the Assets overview?
Custom attribute columns in the Assets overview (Asset module) let you create, display, and remove additional data fields on asset records by configuring attributes in Types: Assets, which is used to capture equipment-specific data not covered by standard asset fields.
This guide covers creating a custom attribute, controlling its visibility in the Assets overview, and permanently removing one. Creating a custom attribute requires project role Manager or higher. Removing one requires project role Admin. Showing or hiding columns is available to all project roles.
When and why to use this
Commissioning teams often need to track equipment data that CxPlanner's standard asset fields don't cover, such as a custom condition rating, a manufacturer-specific serial format, or a certification date tied to one asset type. Custom attributes let a project team add these fields without waiting on a platform change, and they behave like any other column in the Assets overview: sortable, filterable, and included in exports. Because attributes are type-specific, a field added to "Air Handling Unit" only appears on assets of that type, which keeps the grid relevant as project teams add data for other equipment.
- When this action is needed - the standard asset fields don't capture a piece of equipment data the project needs to track, sort, filter, or export.
- What the system does - a new attribute created in Types: Assets appears immediately as a column in the Assets overview and as a field in the asset detail panel, for all assets of that type.
- Limitations - attributes are scoped to the asset type they were created for; a field on "Air Handling Unit" will not appear when viewing assets of a different type.
How to
Show or hide a column
Available to all project roles. Column visibility is per-user and does not affect what other project members see, unless it's saved as a shared custom view.
- Open the Asset module and click Assets overview.
- Click view settings in the top of the grid and select Visible columns from the drop down.
- Toggle the visibility switch next to each column you want to show or hide.
- Click Apply or close the panel. The grid updates immediately.
Remove a custom attribute
- Open the project and go to Assets > Asset Overview (or the asset list view).
- Open the column context menu, e.g. right-click the column header or use the column menu.
- Click Remove Column.
- If there are no custom fields to remove, you'll see the message No custom fields to remove. Otherwise, a modal titled Select field to remove opens. Choose the field you want to remove and confirm the selection.
- A confirmation modal titled Remove custom field appears, showing the field name and stating that all data in it will be lost and the action cannot be undone.
- Type delete in the confirmation field.
- Click the confirm button. The field is removed from the table and the project, and a success notification appears: Name deleted (where "Name" is the removed field's name).
After removal, the column disappears from the Assets overview and the context menu. Existing asset records no longer have values for that field; the underlying assets themselves are not deleted, only that column and its data.
Behavior and results
Permission matrix
Action | Minimum project role |
|---|---|
Create a custom attribute | Manager |
Show or hide a column | Any role |
Remove a custom attribute | Admin |
Column behavior
Custom attribute columns behave identically to standard asset columns:
- Sortable - click the column header to sort the Assets overview by that attribute.
- Filterable - use the filter toolbar to filter assets by custom attribute values.
- Included in exports - Excel and CSV exports include custom attribute columns regardless of current visibility settings.
Visibility scenarios
Scenario | Behavior |
|---|---|
User hides a column | Hidden for that user only; other users are unaffected |
User shows a previously hidden column | Visible for that user only |
Changes saved as a custom view | All users who load that view see the same column configuration |
Export | Exports include all columns regardless of current visibility settings |
Removal outcome
Before removal | After removal |
|---|---|
Column visible in Assets overview and context menu | Column and menu entry no longer appear |
Asset records show values for the field | Values are permanently deleted; assets themselves remain |
Troubleshooting
Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
"Add attribute" isn't available in Types: Assets | Insufficient project role | Ask a project Manager or Admin to create the attribute, or request a role upgrade |
I don't see "Remove Column" in the column menu | You don't have project role Admin | Ask a project Admin to remove the field, or request a role upgrade |
I see "No custom fields to remove" | There are no custom (meta) fields on this project's Assets overview | Confirm the field was added as a custom attribute and still exists in the table |
I confirmed removal but the field is still there | The request failed, or the field was already removed by someone else | Check your connection and retry; if it persists, contact your administrator |
I removed the wrong field | Removal is permanent | Add a new custom attribute with the same configuration; the original data cannot be recovered |
A column I need isn't showing | It's hidden in your personal view, or filtered by asset type | Check column visibility settings, and confirm you're viewing assets of the type the attribute belongs to |
Quick facts
- Requires: Manager or higher to create a custom attribute; Admin to remove one; any role to show or hide columns
- Location: Asset module - Types: Assets (create) and Assets overview (show/hide, remove)
- Affects: Assets overview columns, asset detail panel fields, Excel/CSV exports, and underlying asset data (on removal)
Updated on: 07/21/2026
Thank you!