How to configure custom studies

This guide details configuration and administration of Custom Studies. For help using the feature, refer to the How to Use Custom Studies.

Licensing Considerations

Custom Studies are available to tenants. Please contact Benchling Support to enable these flags.

Go to Feature Settings > Study Schemas
Choose Type: Custom
Configure fields and settings
- Notes:
  - No support for fieldsets, units, tooltips, uniqueness, or parent fields
  - Study ID cannot be edited post-creation or used in name templates

Link specific entry templates to a study schema to restrict options from the Study Overview shortcuts.
Other entry creation flows remain unrestricted.

Within the study schema, toggle whether design entry must be reviewed before execution can begin.

Note: this will be available to users with Workflows

Creating a study via API requires a pre-created notebook entry to be passed as the Design Entry.

Q: Why doesn’t my study appear in the dropdown when linking?
A: Make sure the schema type is set to “Custom.” Only custom study schemas are valid for Custom Studies.
Q: Can I use lookup fields in studies?
A: Not yet. Lookup tables/columns are currently unsupported in Custom Studies.
Q: What should I consider when migrating from Custom Entities?
A: Be aware of gaps in feature parity (e.g., no computed fields, tooltips, or lookups). Migration may require adaptation.
Q: Auto-linking isn’t applying—what’s wrong?
A: Only entries created from the Study Overview trigger auto-linking. Check how the entry was created.
Q: Why is there a “Studies” field in all lab auto runs? Can I remove it?
A: Once Studies are enabled, the field is always visible in lab auto runs. There is currently no way to disable or hide it.
Q: Will enabling Studies disrupt existing setups?
A: It may if your current build relies on unsupported Entity features. Review your configuration before enabling.