Single Select, Radio or Tags: Which Should You Use?

Choosing between single select radio or tags looks cosmetic and is structural. The difference is how many values a record may hold, and that determines what the field can drive.

What goes wrong when they are mixed up

The symptoms show up on boards and in reports.

A record appearing in two states at once
A board that cannot be built from the field
Aggregation double-counting records
Filters returning more than expected

When each fits

Type	Values	Use for
Single select	One	Status, phase, category, priority
Radio	One	Short lists where all options should be visible
Tags	Several	Attributes a record can hold more than one of

How to apply it in Jestor

Use single select in Jestor for anything driving a Kanban, since a card sits in one column.
Use radio for short option sets where seeing all choices helps.
Use tags for attributes like recurring, international, or priority markers that combine.
Group related tags so they share a colour and stay visually organized.
Check existing fields for tags used as status — a common structural error.

Why choose Jestor for clear data structures?

Jestor supports boards built from single select, radio, user, and connected fields, which gives flexibility while keeping the one-value rule that a board depends on.

Tag groups exist for the multi-value case: several attributes can apply, and grouping keeps them readable rather than becoming a wall of colour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a board be built from tags?

No — a card sits in one column at a time. See jestor.com.

What is radio for?

Short option sets where all choices should be visible.

Can tags be organized?

Yes, into groups sharing a colour.

Video Tutorial: Step by Step

Check out other practical tutorials on the Jestor YouTube channel.

Get to know Jestor

With Jestor, you can automate workflows, connect teams, and build internal systems your way — all without code and powered by AI. Discover Jestor at jestor.com and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.

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