---
title: Array Field
label: Array
order: 20
desc: Array fields are intended for sets of repeating fields, that you define. Learn how to use array fields, see examples and options.
keywords: array, fields, config, configuration, documentation, Content Management System, cms, headless, javascript, node, react, express
---
The Array field type is used when you need to have a set of "repeating" fields. It stores an array
of objects containing the fields that you define. Its uses can be simple or highly complex.
**Example uses:**
- A "slider" with an image ([upload field](/docs/fields/upload)) and a caption ([text field](/docs/fields/text))
- Navigational structures where editors can specify nav items containing pages ([relationship field](/docs/fields/relationship)), an "open in new tab" [checkbox field](/docs/fields/checkbox)
- Event agenda "timeslots" where you need to specify start & end time ([date field](/docs/fields/date)), label ([text field](/docs/fields/text)), and Learn More page [relationship](/docs/fields/relationship)
## Config
| Option | Description |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`name`** \* | To be used as the property name when stored and retrieved from the database. [More](/docs/fields/overview#field-names) |
| **`label`** | Text used as the heading in the Admin panel or an object with keys for each language. Auto-generated from name if not defined. |
| **`fields`** \* | Array of field types to correspond to each row of the Array. |
| **`validate`** | Provide a custom validation function that will be executed on both the Admin panel and the backend. [More](/docs/fields/overview#validation) |
| **`minRows`** | A number for the fewest allowed items during validation when a value is present. |
| **`maxRows`** | A number for the most allowed items during validation when a value is present. |
| **`saveToJWT`** | If this field is top-level and nested in a config supporting [Authentication](/docs/authentication/config), include its data in the user JWT. |
| **`hooks`** | Provide field-based hooks to control logic for this field. [More](/docs/fields/overview#field-level-hooks) |
| **`access`** | Provide field-based access control to denote what users can see and do with this field's data. [More](/docs/fields/overview#field-level-access-control) |
| **`hidden`** | Restrict this field's visibility from all APIs entirely. Will still be saved to the database, but will not appear in any API or the Admin panel. |
| **`defaultValue`** | Provide an array of row data to be used for this field's default value. [More](/docs/fields/overview#default-values) |
| **`localized`** | Enable localization for this field. Requires [localization to be enabled](/docs/configuration/localization) in the Base config. If enabled, a separate, localized set of all data within this Array will be kept, so there is no need to specify each nested field as `localized`. |
| **`required`** | Require this field to have a value. |
| **`labels`** | Customize the row labels appearing in the Admin dashboard. |
| **`admin`** | Admin-specific configuration. See below for [more detail](#admin-config). |
| **`custom`** | Extension point for adding custom data (e.g. for plugins) |
| **`interfaceName`** | Create a top level, reusable [Typescript interface](/docs/typescript/generating-types#custom-field-interfaces) & [GraphQL type](/docs/graphql/graphql-schema#custom-field-schemas). |
| **`dbName`** | Custom table name for the field when using SQL database adapter ([Postgres](/docs/database/postgres)). Auto-generated from name if not defined. |
_\* An asterisk denotes that a property is required._
## Admin Config
In addition to the default [field admin config](/docs/fields/overview#admin-config), you can adjust the following properties:
| Option | Description |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`initCollapsed`** | Set the initial collapsed state |
| **`components.RowLabel`** | Function or React component to be rendered as the label on the array row. Receives `({ data, index, path })` as args |
| **`isSortable`** | Disable order sorting by setting this value to `false` |
## Example
`collections/ExampleCollection.ts`
```ts
import { CollectionConfig } from 'payload/types'
export const ExampleCollection: CollectionConfig = {
slug: 'example-collection',
fields: [
{
name: 'slider', // required
type: 'array', // required
label: 'Image Slider',
minRows: 2,
maxRows: 10,
interfaceName: 'CardSlider', // optional
labels: {
singular: 'Slide',
plural: 'Slides',
},
fields: [
// required
{
name: 'title',
type: 'text',
},
{
name: 'image',
type: 'upload',
relationTo: 'media',
required: true,
},
{
name: 'caption',
type: 'text',
},
],
admin: {
components: {
RowLabel: ({ data, index }) => {
return data?.title || `Slide ${String(index).padStart(2, '0')}`
},
},
},
},
],
}
```