# Creating a data type

A data type is a description of the data that is exchanged over the network. It can be reused throughout the API version.

## Procedure

1. Click Create new in the top-right corner.

   ![Create new menu expanded.](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/api-designer-user-guide/Resources/images/shows_the_menu_to_create_definition_elements_and_components.png)
2. Click Data type.
3. Enter a Name for your data type, Contact for example.

   The type is object by default.
4. Optional: Enter a Description and select the Section in which you want to include the data type.
5. Click Edit next to your newly created data type to edit the type or add a description and examples.

   ![Screenshot of the object type.](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/api-designer-user-guide/Resources/images/creating_data_type_2.png)

   Information noteNote: Only the object type supports properties. Types such as string or integer do not support adding properties.
6. Click Save.
7. Optional: If the type is object, click Add property.
   1. Enter a Name and select a Type for your property.
   2. Fill in the fields that appear. The available fields depend on the selected type.
   3. Click Add.
   ### Example

   Define the firstName property as a required property of type string, described as Customer's first name. ![Example of how to define the firstName property, which is a required property of type String and described as "Customer's first name".](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/api-designer-user-guide/Resources/images/creating_data_type_03.png)

   You can add as many properties as needed to an object data type.

### In this section

* [Using combinations](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/api-designer-user-guide/Cloud/using-combinations)
* [Using data type attributes](https://help.qlik.com/talend/en-US/api-designer-user-guide/Cloud/using-data-type-attributes)