# Creating columns & data records
There are three methods to create columns in Dynamic Data tables, and it all depends on where your data comes from if it is pre-existing or new data to be added while the app is in use.
1. Create a jig in Jigx Builder with the columns and save data to your table.
2. Create your columns and data manually in Jigx Management.
3. Import your data from a CSV or JSON file using the [Jigx Management](https://manage.jigx.com/).
{% hint style="warning" %}
Jigx does not recommend storing images in Dynamic Data (via any conversion), as the max file size per record is 350K.
{% endhint %}
## Creating columns and records via Jigx Builder
You can create columns in the table by creating a jig, then define the columns you require in the table by using the Dynamic Data provider's `create` or `save` method. Here are scenarios commonly used to create columns and data from a jig.
### Create a [**form**](https://docs.jigx.com/examples/readme/components/form) and use the [**submit form**](https://docs.jigx.com/examples/readme/actions/submit-form) action
In this scenario, the `formId` in the `component.form` is used in the `submit-form` action to get context to the property `instanceId`. Each value used in the `instanceId` becomes the column's name in the table. The `entity` property specifies the table to add the columns and data to.
{% hint style="info" %}
The columns and data records are created when the form is completed and submitted on the mobile device and not at the time of publishing the solution in Jigx Builder.
{% endhint %}
Form creates column and data record
1. Add a `component.form` to a jig and give it a `formId`.
2. Add any of the available form properties, such as [text-field](https://docs.jigx.com/examples/readme/components/text-field), [date-picker](https://docs.jigx.com/examples/readme/components/date-picker), [number-field](https://docs.jigx.com/examples/readme/components/number-field).
3. Add the `submit.form` action.
4. Specify the same `formId` used in the `component.form`.
5. Use the `DATA_PROVIDER_DYNAMIC` with the `create` or `save` method.
6. In the `entity` property, specify the table where the columns and data must be added.
7. Publish the solution.
8. Open the solution in Jigx App and complete the form, click the submit button.
9. Browse to Jigx Management> *solution* >data> *table* to see the new record and columns.
{% code title="employee-form.jigx" %}
```yaml
title: New employee form
description: Capture the new employee details
type: jig.default
header:
type: component.jig-header
options:
height: medium
children:
type: component.image
options:
source:
uri: https://unsplash.com/photos/black-smartphone-LNlzd-Y7orw
children:
- type: component.form
# used in the submit-form action to get context to the property instanceId.
options:
instanceId: form-employee
children:
- type: component.text-field
instanceId: first_name # becomes the name of the column in table
options:
label: First Name
- type: component.text-field
instanceId: last_name # becomes the name of the column in table
options:
label: Last Name
- type: component.number-field
instanceId: contact_number # becomes the name of the column in table
options:
label: Mobile number
- type: component.date-picker
instanceId: date_of_birth # becomes the name of the column in table
options:
label: Date of birth
- type: component.avatar-field
instanceId: photo # becomes the name of the column in table
options:
label: My profile
- type: component.signature-field
instanceId: signature # becomes the name of the column in table
options:
label: Sign
- type: component.email-field
instanceId: email # becomes the name of the column in table
options:
label: Email address
actions:
- children:
- type: action.submit-form
options:
# Used to get context to the property instanceIds.
formId: form-employee
# Dynamic data provider
provider: DATA_PROVIDER_DYNAMIC
# Creates data and the columns if they do not already exist.
title: Create Record
# Specify the table to create the data and columns in.
entity: default/employee
# Use create or save.
method: create
onSuccess:
type: action.go-back
```
{% endcode %}
### Use [execute-entity](https://docs.jigx.com/examples/readme/actions/execute-entity) or [execute-entities](https://docs.jigx.com/examples/execute-entities) action to create columns and data records
In this scenario you can use actions in a jig that interact with data to add columns and data records. The columns and data are configured in the `data:` property the action.Use the following actions with the Dynamic Data provider's `create` and `save` methods:
* `action.execute-entity` - used to add a **single** data record
* `action.execute.entities` - used to add **multiple** data
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="execute-entity-action" %}
```yaml
type: action.execute-entity
options:
provider: DATA_PROVIDER_DYNAMIC
entity: default/department
method: create
data:
department_name: =@ctx.current.item.department
manager_name: =@ctx.current.item.manager
email: =@ctx.datasources.company_contacts.email
```
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="execute-entities-action" %}
```yaml
type: action.execute-entities
options:
provider: DATA_PROVIDER_DYNAMIC
entity: default/department
method: create
data:
department_name: =@ctx.current.item.department
manager_name: =@ctx.current.item.manager
email: =@ctx.datasources.company_contacts.email
```
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## Creating columns in Jigx Management
### Manually create columns and data records
Creating columns
1. Open [Jigx Management](/administration/management-overview.md), navigate to your solution and select the **Data** option.
2. Click on the table you want to add a record to in the right-hand **Tables** pane.
3. Click on the blue **New record** button. If you already have records in the table, you will see all existing columns of all records.
4. In the **New record** pane add the data values for each column.
5. **Add new columns** to your record by defining a column name and clicking on the **+** button next to the new column name. As you add data in the column the field displays the type under the entry, such as number, string or boolean.
6. Enter data values in the column fields and click **Save**.
{% hint style="info" %}
You do not need to specify an rid column. Dynamic Data will create a GUID based id column for you automatically. You can optionally view the rid column by selecting the settings button and checking the id column as a visible column.
{% endhint %}
### Importing data using a JSON or CSV file
If you have pre-existing data or a large data set with multiple records to add to a table you can import the data by uploading a CSV or JSON file that will create the columns and populate the data records.
Add data with JSON file
1. Open [Jigx Management](/administration/management-overview.md), navigate to your solution and select the **Data** option.
2. Click on the table you want to add a record to in the right-hand **Tables** pane.
3. Click on the **Upload** button at the top of the screen.
4. By default the JSON upload window is shown. You can toggle to upload CSV using the **Switch to CSV** button in the top right. Provide the property name for the unique identifier, otherwise by default the rid (GUID based id) property will automatically be created for you. Drag and drop the file in the designated area.
5. Click **Save**.
6. For CSV uploads select the type of **comma-delimited** used in the **CSV file.** Drag and drop the file in the designated area.
7. Click **Add**.
8. Click **Save**.
## Examples and code snippets
The following examples with code snippets are provided:
* [Creating Dynamic Data](https://docs.jigx.com/examples/readme/data-providers/dynamic-data/creating-dynamic-data)
* [Reading Dynamic Data](https://docs.jigx.com/examples/readme/data-providers/dynamic-data/reading-dynamic-data)
* [Updating Dynamic Data](https://docs.jigx.com/examples/readme/data-providers/dynamic-data/updating-dynamic-data)
* [Deleting Dynamic Data](https://docs.jigx.com/examples/readme/data-providers/dynamic-data/deleting-dynamic-data)
## See Also
[Using Dynamic Data](/building-apps-with-jigx/data/data-providers/dynamic-data/using-dynamic-data.md)
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