# Adding records

Create record types and add the individual jobs, listings, or places that become pins on your map.

Records are the individual things that appear as pins on your public map: a completed roofing job, a sold listing, a finished project. Before you can add a record, you need at least one **record type**, which is simply the category those records belong to (for example, "Jobs" or "Listings"). This article walks you through creating a record type and adding your first record.

## Understand record types vs. records

A **record type** defines the shape of your data: its name, color, icon, and any custom fields you attach to it. A **record** is one real-world entry of that type: a specific address, date, and set of field values that becomes a pin on the map.

Most businesses need just one record type. If you do different kinds of work (say, residential and commercial), you can create a second type for each category.

## Create a record type

1. In the dashboard sidebar, click **Records**.
2. On the "Record types" page, click **+ New type** in the top-right corner.
3. The "New record type" dialog opens. You can either pick a pre-built template under **Start from a template** (each one comes with starter fields already attached) or scroll down to **Or build from scratch**.
4. If building from scratch, fill in the **Singular label** (e.g. _Job_) and **Plural label** (e.g. _Jobs_), then choose a **Color** and an **Icon**.
5. Click **Create record type**.

The new type now appears in the "Record types" list and gains its own section in the sidebar.

![The Records dashboard showing the Record types list and the + New type button](/help/img/records-list.png)

> **Tip:** After creating a type, click the pencil icon next to it to add custom fields and configure its name, color, and icon. See [Creating and configuring record types](/help/record-types) for a full walkthrough.

## Add a record

Once you have a record type, you can start adding individual records.

1. In the sidebar, click **Records**, then click the record type you want to add to (e.g. _Jobs_).
2. Click **+ New job** (the button label uses your record type's singular name) in the top-right corner.
3. The "New job" dialog opens. Enter a **Record title** (the only field required to save a draft).
4. Fill in the address fields (**Street address**, **City**, **State**, **ZIP code**). At least one of these is required before you can publish, so the pin can be placed on the map.
5. Optionally fill in **Customer name**, **Description**, any custom fields your record type defines, and upload a thumbnail photo.
6. Choose how to save:
   - **Save draft** (appears in the dialog header once you've entered a title): saves privately; the record won't appear on your public map yet.
   - **Publish**: makes the record live on your map immediately. This button is enabled only after you've entered a title and at least one address field.

After saving, the record appears in your records list. Published records show a green "Live" badge and a pin on your public map. Draft records stay hidden until you publish them.

## What's next

- [Import records in bulk from a CSV file](/help/importing-records)
- [Build a map to display your records publicly](/help/building-a-map)
- [Customize your map's appearance and filters](/help/customizing-your-map)