> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/directus/directus/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Fields

> Manage fields in collections

Fields are the columns in your database tables. The Fields API allows you to create and manage fields.

## List Fields

Retrieve all fields in a collection.

```bash theme={null}
GET /fields/:collection
```

**Example:**

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://your-directus-instance.com/fields/articles" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"
```

## Get Field

Retrieve a single field.

```bash theme={null}
GET /fields/:collection/:field
```

## Create Field

Create a new field in a collection.

```bash theme={null}
POST /fields/:collection
```

**Request Body:**

```json theme={null}
{
  "field": "excerpt",
  "type": "text",
  "meta": {
    "interface": "input-multiline",
    "note": "Short description"
  },
  "schema": {}
}
```

## Update Field

Update field metadata.

```bash theme={null}
PATCH /fields/:collection/:field
```

## Delete Field

Delete a field from a collection.

```bash theme={null}
DELETE /fields/:collection/:field
```

<Warning>
  Deleting a field removes the database column and all its data permanently.
</Warning>

## Field Types

* **String types**: `string`, `text`, `uuid`
* **Number types**: `integer`, `bigInteger`, `float`, `decimal`
* **Boolean**: `boolean`
* **Date/Time**: `date`, `time`, `datetime`, `timestamp`
* **JSON**: `json`
* **Relational**: `alias` (virtual fields)
* **Geometry**: `geometry` (with PostGIS)

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Collections" icon="layer-group" href="/api/rest/collections">
    Manage collections
  </Card>

  <Card title="Items" icon="database" href="/api/rest/items">
    Work with items
  </Card>
</CardGroup>