Technical diving articles

How to Create Custom Field Type in Odoo 18

janefoster

United States

Odoo, an all-in-one management software, is highly regarded for its modularity and flexibility. As businesses increasingly seek tailored solutions, customizing Odoo to meet unique requirements becomes essential. One such customization is creating custom field types in Odoo 18. Whether you are a developer working independently or an Odoo Partner assisting clients, understanding this process is crucial.
1. Understanding Field Types in Odoo
Field types are the backbone of any database in Odoo. They define the type of data that can be stored, such as text, integers, dates, or relationships with other models. Standard field types in Odoo include Char, Integer, Many2one, and more. However, some business requirements demand new field types, such as a specialized calculation or data structure, which necessitates creating custom field types.
2. Setting Up Your Development Environment
Before creating a custom field type, ensure your Odoo 18 development environment is ready. This includes:
• Installing Odoo: Use a virtual environment or Docker to set up Odoo 18.
• Creating a Custom Module: Always place customizations in a separate module to maintain compatibility with future updates.
• Familiarity with Python and XML: Odoo's backend is Python-based, while its views and layouts rely on XML.
To create a new module, run the following command:
odoo-bin scaffold custom_field_type_module addons
This command creates the basic structure of a custom module within the addons directory.
3. Defining the Custom Field Type
The core step in creating a custom field type is defining it in Python. This involves inheriting from the base field class and adding the necessary logic. For example, let’s create a custom field called ColorHex to store hexadecimal color codes.
Code Example: Defining ColorHex
Below is the code to define a new field type:
from odoo import fields

class ColorHex(fields.Char):
type = 'color_hex'

def __init__(self, string=None, **kwargs):
kwargs['size'] = 7 # Hex color code length, including the #
super().__init__(string=string, **kwargs)

def convert_to_cache(self, value, record, validate=True):
if not value.startswith('#') or len(value) != 7:
raise ValueError("Invalid Hex Color Code")
return super().convert_to_cache(value, record, validate)
4. Registering the Custom Field Type
After defining the field, you need to register it in Odoo so that it can be recognized in your models. Modify your module’s __init__.py file to include the new field definition:
from . import fields
5. Using the Custom Field in Models
Once registered, the custom field can be used in any model. For instance, let’s add the ColorHex field to a product model:
from odoo import models, fields

class ProductTemplate(models.Model):
_inherit = 'product.template'

color_hex = fields.ColorHex(string="Color Hex Code")
Update the corresponding XML view to make the field visible in the user interface:

product.template.form.custom.color
product.template







6. Testing and Debugging
After implementing the custom field type, thoroughly test its functionality. Key areas to focus on include:
• Validation: Ensure invalid inputs (e.g., non-hexadecimal strings) are rejected.
• Integration: Check compatibility with existing models and views.
• Performance: Test the impact of the new field on system performance.
Use Odoo’s built-in logging and debugging tools to identify and resolve issues. For instance, you can use import logging in Python to add debug logs:
import logging
_logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
_logger.debug("Debug message")
Conclusion
Creating a custom field type in Odoo 18 allows businesses to extend its capabilities and better align the system with their unique needs. From defining the field in Python to integrating it into models and views, each step requires careful planning and execution. If you’re looking to customize your Odoo system but need expert guidance, hiring an experienced Odoo consultant can ensure success.
Ready to customize your Odoo system? Contact us today to hire an expert Odoo consultant and unlock the full potential of your business management software.