Email, Phone, and URL field types
Key Takeaway
Email, Phone, and URL fields each add built-in behavior, but changing the field type later can cause data loss, and in some cases you can't change it at all.
Email, Phone, and URL are custom field types for contact details and web addresses. Each one adds built-in behavior that a plain Text field lacks. Each type also has its own length limit and rules that affect how you can use the field or change it later.
What each field type does
| Field type | What users can enter | Length limit | Built-in behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| An email address | 80 characters | Salesforce validates the value to make sure it has proper format. | |
| Phone | Any phone number | 40 characters | Salesforce automatically formats the value as a phone number. |
| URL | Any valid website address | 255 characters | Clicking the field opens the address. |