# Workflow Action - Update Contact Field > Learn how to use the Update Contact Field workflow action to write or clear contact data using static or dynamic values, including numeric, select, and monetary fields. - Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/workflows/workflow-builder/workflow-action-update-contact-field - Section: Workflows / Workflow Builder - Reading time: 4 min - Images: 4, each explained below - Modified on Wed, 4 Feb at 1:08 AM --- The **Update Contact Field** workflow action lets you write new values to standard or custom contact fields—or clear values on custom fields—directly from a workflow. With the latest enhancement, you can now use **Dynamic Custom Values** for additional field types, allowing workflows to set live values from earlier steps or stored fields without hard-typing text or numbers. --- **TABLE OF CONTENTS** - [Overview](#overview) - [How to Add the Update Contact Field Action](#how-to-add-the-update-contact-field-action) - [Action Configuration](#action-configuration)[](#action-name) - [Action Name](#action-name) - [Select Action Type](#select-action-type) - [Update Field Data](#update-field-data) - [Clear Field Data](#clear-field-data) - [Using Dynamic Values in Update Contact Field](#using-dynamic-values-in-update-contact-field)  - [Supported Field Types](#supported-field-types) - [How to Use Dynamic Values](#how-to-use-dynamic-values) - [Example Use Case](#example-use-case) - [Updating Multiple Fields](#updating-multiple-fields) - [Field Type Considerations & Validation](#field-type-considerations-and-validation) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) - [Related Articles](#related-articles) --- ## **Overview** GHL Customer Care’s Update Contact Field action updates data on a contact record at the exact point the workflow runs. You can either update a field with a value or clear an existing value, and all changes are visible in **Execution Logs**. This action is commonly used to keep contact data accurate for personalization, segmentation, reporting, and downstream workflow logic. --- ## **How to Add the Update Contact Field Action** 1. Go to **Automation → Workflows**. 2. Open an existing workflow or create a new one. 3. Click the **+** icon where you want to add an action. 4. From the Actions panel, select **Update Contact Field**. ![How to Add the Update Contact Field Action (image 1 of 4)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155064139621/original/pbJGUi7aYKQIRsDDU612BZlaLUAZzydHkw.png) **How to Add the Update Contact Field Action (image 1 of 4)** This screenshot appears in the "How to Add the Update Contact Field Action" section of "Workflow Action - Update Contact Field". The text alongside this image reads: Go to Automation → Workflows. Open an existing workflow or create a new one. Click the + icon where you want to add an action. From the Actions panel, select Update Contact Field. Immediately after, the guide continues: Give the action a descriptive name so it’s easy to identify later in the workflow canvas and Execution Logs. - Where to go: Go to Automation → Workflows. Open an existing workflow or create a new one. Click the + icon where you want to add an action. From the Actions panel, select Update Contact Field. - Controls: Automation → Workflows, +, Update Contact Field - Next: Give the action a descriptive name so it’s easy to identify later in the workflow canvas and Execution Logs. Full procedure: 1. Go to Automation → Workflows. 2. Open an existing workflow or create a new one. 3. Click the + icon where you want to add an action. 4. From the Actions panel, select Update Contact Field. --- ## **Action Configuration** ### **Action Name** Give the action a descriptive name so it’s easy to identify later in the workflow canvas and Execution Logs. ![Action Name (image 2 of 4)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155064139633/original/uOA3B9wly54PZebr_ZkpmFt87vERaK75nQ.png) **Action Name (image 2 of 4)** This screenshot appears in the "Action Name" section of "Workflow Action - Update Contact Field". The text alongside this image reads: Give the action a descriptive name so it’s easy to identify later in the workflow canvas and Execution Logs. Immediately after, the guide continues: Choose how the action should behave. Your selection controls which configuration options appear next. - What this covers: Give the action a descriptive name so it’s easy to identify later in the workflow canvas and Execution Logs. - Next: Choose how the action should behave. Your selection controls which configuration options appear next. --- ## **Select Action Type** Choose how the action should behave. Your selection controls which configuration options appear next. **Action Type options:** - **Update field data** – write a new value to a field - **Clear field data** – remove the stored value (custom fields only) ![Select Action Type (image 3 of 4)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155064139664/original/munQVWwAGalOBwZl7SLwLp42zMS5aL2zwA.png) **Select Action Type (image 3 of 4)** This screenshot appears in the "Select Action Type" section of "Workflow Action - Update Contact Field". The text alongside this image reads: Update field data – write a new value to a field Clear field data – remove the stored value (custom fields only). Immediately after, the guide continues: Use this mode to overwrite a contact field’s value. - What this covers: Update field data – write a new value to a field Clear field data – remove the stored value (custom fields only) - Controls: Update field data, Clear field data - Next: Use this mode to overwrite a contact field’s value. Full procedure: 1. Update field data – write a new value to a field 2. Clear field data – remove the stored value (custom fields only) --- ## **Update Field Data** Use this mode to overwrite a contact field’s value. 1. Select the contact field you want to update. 2. Enter a value using either: - A **static value**, or - A **Dynamic Value** (live data from the workflow or contact) The new value replaces the existing value when the workflow reaches this step. ![Update Field Data (image 4 of 4)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155064139707/original/YT7RvqDRGXyhtk1TLKL4XKICCyvbbpE0Hg.png) **Update Field Data (image 4 of 4)** This screenshot appears in the "Update Field Data" section of "Workflow Action - Update Contact Field". The text alongside this image reads: The new value replaces the existing value when the workflow reaches this step. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Use this mode to remove the stored value from a custom contact field. - What this covers: The new value replaces the existing value when the workflow reaches this step. - Fields: A static value, or, A Dynamic Value (live data from the workflow or contact) - Controls: static value, Dynamic Value - Next: Use this mode to remove the stored value from a custom contact field. Full procedure: 1. Select the contact field you want to update. 2. Enter a value using either: --- ## **Clear Field Data** Use this mode to remove the stored value from a **custom contact field**. 1. Choose **Clear field data** as the Action Type. 2. Select one or more custom fields to clear. 3. When the action runs, the field value is set to empty. > **Caution:** Clearing values can affect Smart Lists, filters, and workflow conditions. Always review dependencies before publishing. --- ## **Using Dynamic Values in Update Contact Field** You can now use **Dynamic Values** to set contact fields using live outputs from earlier workflow steps or stored contact fields. This removes the need to hard-type values and avoids duplicate logic. Dynamic Values resolve at runtime for each individual contact. --- ## **Supported Field Types** Dynamic Values are supported for the following field types in **Update Contact Field**: - **Numeric** – scores, counts - **Select / Dropdown** _(no option ID required here)_ - **Monetary** – totals, amounts > **Important:** > Select / Dropdown fields **do not require option IDs** when updating contact fields. > (This is different from If/Else conditions, where option IDs are required.) --- ## **How to Use Dynamic Values** 1. Add an **Update Contact Field** action to your workflow. 2. Choose **Update field data** as the Action Type. 3. Select the target contact field. 4. In the value input, switch to **Dynamic Value**. 5. Pick a value from: - An earlier workflow step’s output, or - A stored contact field. 6. Save and publish the workflow. --- ## **Example Use Case** After a patient confirms an appointment, the workflow captures the confirmation type (for example, _Follow-up_ or _New Visit_). That value is then written dynamically into a custom contact field, keeping records accurate and ensuring the correct follow-up communication. --- ## **Updating Multiple Fields** You can update more than one field in a single action: - Click **Add field** to include additional field rows. - For clarity and auditing, some teams prefer separate actions for Update vs Clear. --- ## **Field Type Considerations & Validation** To avoid errors, make sure values match the field type: - **Text / Number:** Use appropriate formats. - **Date:** Use valid date values or date-based dynamic values. - **Dropdown / Checkbox / Radio:** Value must match an existing option. - **Email / Phone:** Provide properly formatted values. > Fields must already exist. This action does not create new fields. --- ## **Frequently Asked Questions** **Q: Can I update standard contact fields like Email or Phone?** Yes. Update field data supports both standard and custom contact fields. **Q: Can I clear standard contact fields?** No. Clear field data supports custom contact fields only. **Q: Can I update multiple fields in one action?** Yes. Use **Add field** to update multiple fields in the same action. **Q: How are Dynamic Values different from tokens?** Dynamic Values let you select live outputs from earlier workflow steps or fields. Tokens still work, but Dynamic Values remove the need to manually type or map values. **Q: What happens if I use the wrong format?** The update may fail validation. Review field types and check Execution Logs. **Q: Will clearing a value affect Smart Lists or workflows?** Yes. Clearing a value can change list membership or branching logic. --- ## **Related Articles** - [Workflow Action – If/Else](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/workflows/internal-tools-workflow-actions/workflow-action-if-else) - [Workflow Action – Wait](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/workflows/internal-tools-workflow-actions/workflow-action-wait) --- Documentation for GHL Customer Care. Support: support@ghlcustomercare.com