Create Table and Field Extensions

On this page:

Create new and manage existing database extensions from the Page and Data Management page. Coordinate with your district to ensure that migration of custom fields are only processed by one person.

The overall steps for adding a database extension are as follows:

1. Select the functional area of the application to extend, or create an independent table for the extended data.
2. Select a workflow type. You can add fields to the default extension, or create and manage database extensions, tables and fields.
3. Choose a PowerSchool database extension table to modify, or create a new table.
4. Create new fields for the database extension table.

Add a Field to a Default Extension

Use the default database extension group and table to easily add a new field. A default extension is available for every table. To create an independent table, see Create a New Independent Table.

Note: Data migration from a legacy custom field is required at the time the Database Extension column is created. Once an extension column is created, legacy custom field data can no longer be migrated into the Database Extension column.

1. On the start page, choose System under Setup in the main menu. 
2. Under Data Management, click Page and Data Management. 
3. Under Database Management, click Manage Database Extensions. 
4. Choose the PowerSchool table that you want to extend from. To view a longer list of PowerSchool tables, choose Other, and then select a table from the additional pop-up that appears.
5. Select Basic Extension

6. Click Next. 

7. To add new fields for the database extension table, click Add. 
8. Enter the field name as it will appear in PowerSchool.
9. Select the filed data type.
10. Enter the maximum length of data that can be entered in the field (up to 4000). When editing this field, the value can be increased, but it cannot be decreased.
11. Enter the default value for the field. By default, a row in the database won't exist until a field is populated. If any other field is present in the table, the row would have been created and then the (example field) would have had the default. The default is done on the Oracle side as part of the table definition. Since a row doesn't exist there won't be a value.
12. Choose a legacy custom field in order to migrate data from the selected field to your database extension field. The default Type is set to String and the default Length is set to 4000 automatically. This option is unavailable if there are no remaining legacy custom fields.
13. Enter a brief description of the field.
14. Click Apply on the Add Field pop-up when you have finished entering field information.
    

    To modify the field you added:

    • • Click Edit to change the field details.
      • Click Delete to remove the field from the list.
      • To return to the previous section, click Previous.
15. Click Submit. 

Choose or Add New Database Extension Group for a Selected Table

Add fields to an existing database extension group of your choosing. You can also add a new group.

1. On the start page, choose System under Setup in the main menu. 
2. Under Data Management, click Page and Data Management. 
3. Under Database Management, click Manage Database Extensions. 
4. Choose the PowerSchool table that you want to extend from. To view a longer list of PowerSchool tables, choose Other, and then select a table.
5. Select the Advanced Extension option.

6. Click Next. 

7. Select one of the following options:
   • View only database extension groups for the current functional area to filter the list to display only the extension groups for the functional area you selected.
   • View all user created database extension groups to filter the list to display all of the extension groups created by your PowerSchool users.

8. To add a new extension group, click Add and then enter the extension name in the pop-up. The name will be prefixed with U_ in the title. Click Apply when you have finished entering the group name. 

   To modify the group you added:

   • Click Edit to change the Extension Name.
   • Click Delete to remove the group from the list.

                     Note: The Edit button will remain available until you click Submit.

• To return to previous sections, click Previous.

• Select the database extension group you want to work with from the list provided.

• Click Next. 

• To add a new extension table, click Add and then enter the table name in the pop-up. The name will be prefixed with U_ in the title. Click Apply when you have finished entering the group name on the Add Extension pop-up. 

  Note that you can only add a single one-to-one extended table, but you can add multiple one-to-many extension tables. When adding a one-to-many extension table, select the Can have multiple records checkbox.

  To modify the table you added:

  • Click Edit to change the Extension Table Name.
  • Click Delete to remove the table from the list.
    Note: You cannot change the name of a one-to-one table. In order to change the name of a one-to-one table, delete the default table and then add a new one-to-one table with the name you choose.
    Note: The Edit button will remain available until you click Submit.
  • To return to previous sections, click Previous.

  Note: Some database extensions are provided in PowerSchool. These preconfigured database extensions and fields are not accessible or modifiable by users. For a complete listing of these extensions, see the PowerSchool Data Dictionary Tables available on  PowerSource.

• Select the database extension table you want to add fields to from the list provided.

• Click Next. 

• To add new fields for the database extension table, click Add. 

• Enter the field name as it will appear in PowerSchool.
• Select the filed data type.
• Enter the maximum length of data that can be entered in the field (up to 4000). When editing this field, the value can be increased, but it cannot be decreased.
• Enter the default value for the field.
• Choose a legacy custom field in order to migrate data from the selected field to your database extension field. The default Type is set to String and the default Length is set to 4000 automatically. This option is unavailable if there are no remaining legacy custom fields.
• Enter a brief description of the field.

• Click Apply.

  To modify the field you added:

  • Click Edit to change the field details.
  • Click Delete to remove the field from the list.
  • To return to previous sections, click Previous.

• Click Submit. 

  Note: You must restart ReportWorks Services in the PowerSchool Installer in order for these changes to take effect in ReportWorks. For more information, see Reset Server.