Improved Custom Entry Editing
Managing K9 records requires accuracy and consistency. We know how frustrating it can be when small mistakes, like a typo in a dropdown option or duplicate entries, create confusion in your reports. That’s why we’re excited to share some big changes to the Custom Entries page.
What Are Custom Entries?
PACKTRACK is flexible. In most cases, if you don’t find an option that you’re looking for in a dropdown then you can just add your own. For example, you might want to specify that your detection odor was packaged in cloth. We provide several predefined options for packaging types but that one isn’t listed. Simply type in the new value instead of choosing an existing option and we’ll store that as a new packaging type for you to use next time. We call these unique values “custom entries”. You can customize odors, packaging, event and deployment tags, requesting units and weather.
Why Would You Need To Edit Them?
If you can type a custom value whenever you need it then why would you need the Custom Entries page? You might not! However, if you add a lot of values or belong to a department where these values are standardized then this page gives you the flexibility to keep things organized. There are a few reasons you might want to edit your custom entries:
- Fix spelling mistakes and improve wording
- Merge values that are similar or standardized
- Delete values that are no longer used in your records
What’s In The Custom Entries Page?
The Custom Entries page provides an overview of all of the values that you’ve added to PACKTRACK. If you have a lot then you can filter by custom entry type using the dropdown at the top of the page. Added values are shown in a grid. Each row shows the value, the entry type, who made the entry and the number of references to this entry in your records. Click the VIEW link to open the Records page. It will be filtered to show the records containing this entry.
How Do You Edit Your Custom Entries?
Each row in the grid includes an edit button. Click this to make changes. The displayed dialog will walk you through your edit. To replace your current value with an existing value, simply choose one from the dropdown list. To rename the current value, type it in. Note that the dialog will explain exactly what happens if you save your changes. If the entry is no longer used anywhere in your records then the row in the table will also show a delete option.
How Do Supervisors And Trainers Use This Feature?
Custom entry editing is also available to supervisors and trainers. These roles can view the custom entries for all handlers that they manage. There are a couple reasons they might want to make changes:
- Correct handler mistakes or inconsistencies
- Enforce standard terms within the department
Supervisors and trainers can edit entries just like handlers. If one of their handlers misspells a word, for example, then they can easily fix it. These roles can also ensure that the same terminology is used by everyone in the department. This keeps their reports clean and eliminates duplication.
Rather than manually fix every custom entry, supervisors and trainers are encouraged to define their own official values for their handlers to use. For example, a supervisor may notice that the deployment requesting unit for “School District 23” is recorded differently by each handler. Handlers within the department might label this as “District 23”, “school” or “Education district”. The supervisor can use the Add Custom Entry button to define a “Supervisor” entry for requesting units in their department. This creates a standardized entry value that will appear in the Requesting Unit/Agency dropdown for all handlers in that department. It’s best to define these official entry values ahead of time to create a standardized list of department terms.
Why This Matters
Accurate records are essential for training documentation, court reporting, and departmental review. Even small inconsistencies can slow down reporting or create confusion across teams. By giving you control to edit and streamline your custom entries, we’re making it easier to maintain reliable, professional records. Custom entry editing is another step toward giving you more flexibility and control over your K9 records. We’re committed to making your record keeping system as reliable and user-friendly as possible so you can focus on what matters most – your work with your K9 partners.
