> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.docstudio.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.docstudio.com/user/dictionaries/how-to-create-and-manage-dictionaries.md).

# How to Create and Manage Dictionaries

{% hint style="info" %}
See the [Glossary](/glossary/glossary.md) for DocStudio term definitions.
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### Before you start

{% hint style="warning" %}
You must have the **Dictionary editing** permission to create or manage dictionaries.
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With this permission, you can:

{% columns %}
{% column width="41.66666666666667%" %}

* create dictionaries
* add columns
* reorder columns
* edit columns
* delete records
  {% endcolumn %}

{% column width="58.33333333333333%" %}

* change the dictionary name
* change the description and access level
* delete dictionaries
* create records and edit record values
  {% endcolumn %}
  {% endcolumns %}

### Create a dictionary

<figure><img src="/files/PsIOLfhhDD7tbaUkptgX" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. Open **Dictionary** in the sidebar.
2. Click the <img src="/files/lCQb0MJ4W3ahhwJUO5mw" alt="" data-size="line"> button.

### Configure dictionary settings

<figure><img src="/files/Zrul3C6i42S26raJ441a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

After you create a dictionary, configure its basic settings.

1. Set **Name**. The default value is **New dictionary**. The maximum length is **128** characters.
2. Set **Description** if needed. The maximum length is **256** characters.
3. Use **Allow filtered access** to control which values are available in an envelope dictionary field.
   * **Off** — users can select any value from the selected column
   * **On** — available values depend on other field values
4. Set **Access level**. The default value is **Mailbox**.
   * **Mailbox** — only the current mailbox can use the dictionary
   * **Account** — all mailboxes in the same account can use the dictionary
   * **Public** — all mailboxes can use the dictionary

### Manage columns

{% columns %}
{% column %}

1. Click **Add column** to create a new column.
2. Enable **Extended Character limit** if you need up to **5000** characters in that column.

{% hint style="warning" %}
If you enable **Extended Character limit**, this column can be used only in **Lookup fields**. It is not available for **Dictionary fields**.
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{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}

<figure><img src="/files/ukVKigJ9qsUtLmXZu9vB" alt="" width="366"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

Hover over a column header to open column actions:

* **Copy column UUID**
* **Filter**
* **Rename**
* **Delete**

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If a column is less than **300 px** wide, these options collapse into a single dropdown menu.
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<figure><img src="/files/ukda6l25FCLbGlry4Ar6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Drag the **Column** ![](/files/uFJIHMxCefuBxgbHwSEB) icon to reorder columns. DocStudio uses the same order when you create dictionary fields.

<figure><img src="/files/4OEHBoRcpWoh9rKNAWZv" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Manage rows

1. Click **Add row** to create a new record.
2. Select rows with the checkbox.
3. Click **Delete rows** when you need to remove selected records.

#### Cleaned dictionary values

DocStudio automatically removes unsupported characters from the beginning and end of dictionary record values. This applies when you add a new row, edit an existing row, or import dictionary records from a file.

DocStudio removes leading and trailing spaces, tabs, line breaks, carriage returns, and non-breaking spaces. Characters inside the value are not removed, so spaces between words stay unchanged.

### Import or export a dictionary

<p align="center"><img src="/files/cC72Go3PZ0xR8axoSO10" alt=""><br></p>

* Click **Import** to upload a dictionary from your computer.
* Click **Export** to start an export. When the export is ready, DocStudio sends the download link by email.

### Delete a dictionary

1. Open the dictionaries list.
2. Click **Delete** <img src="/files/NmEksQIdurRw2EZZOu5x" alt="" data-size="line"> next to the dictionary.
3. Confirm the action.

### What happens after you delete a dictionary or column

#### Template behavior

If you delete a dictionary or a dictionary column, the template becomes invalid. Select a new dictionary or column in the dictionary field properties.

#### Envelope behavior

If you delete a dictionary or a dictionary column, the dictionary field is disabled during processing. The envelope is destroyed automatically after the expiration date.

{% hint style="warning" %}
If **Custom values** is enabled, the dictionary field behaves like a text field and accepts manual input.
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### Related topics

* [Template Dynamic Fields Overview](/user/template-builder/template-dynamic-fields/template-dynamic-fields-overview.md)
* [Dictionary Field](/user/template-builder/template-dynamic-fields/dictionary-field.md)
* [Lookup Field](/user/template-builder/template-dynamic-fields/lookup-field.md)