---
title: "Restricting Data By Rules"
slug: "restricting-data-rules"
description: "Learn how System Administrators can use Data Rules to restrict designer access to specific data fields in Decisions."
updated: 2026-07-13T17:56:54Z
published: 2026-07-13T17:56:54Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/restricting-data-rules"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Restricting Data By Rules

## Overview

This tutorial demonstrates how a Systems Administrator can restrict designers from using certain fields in a **Data Structure** by adding a **Data Rule.** Data Rules look like a typical Rule, but the **Data Rule** is added by navigating to Manage in Designer Folders and set up. After the Data Rule is set up, it will appear in the Flow Designer when the user searches in All Steps using the search bar.

Data Rules are Project-level and are only visible within the Project.

---

## Example

This example will demonstrate applying a **Data Rule** that restricts what a user can see to an **Account** **Data Type.** Start by adding a **Data Rule** that will exclude data fields that start with "a" under **Account Data Type**.

1. From the desired Designer Folder, navigate to **Manage** **> Configuration > Designers > Data Rules**.
2. Click **ADD DATA RULE** on the top Action bar. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1781629651549.png)
3. **Name** the Data Rule, then select the Data Type via the **Type Name** drop-down menu. Click **SAVE**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1781629692202.png)
4. Right-click the newly created Data Rule from the Data Rules Folder and select **Edit**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1781629745330.png)
5. Design a Rule stating If the name Starts With 'A.' Save the Rule, then close with **X** in the top right corner.This Rule evaluates whether or not the name of a property on the Account Data Type starts with the letter 'a'. The Rule Input represents a name Data Field within the Composite Type of Account.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1781629948917.png)