---
title: Define Custom Events in DairyComp
slug: help/en-us/dairycomp/custom-events
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-01-26T11:43:17.664Z
---

<font color="#67854E">**Question**</font>: How do I add a new type of event to my DairyComp system?

<font color="#67854E">**Answer**</font>: DairyComp allows you to add additional, user-defined event types to the system via the `ALTER` command. Events that you create yourself are called custom events. To learn how to add them to your system, follow the steps below:

1. In the command line, enter `ALTER` to open the Alter options window, and then select option 9, *user-defined events*.

   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/Xivw2-WUwDvLifpCyYxUJ_alteroptions.png" size="32" width="899" height="599" position="flex-start" darkWidth="899" darkHeight="599" showCaption="false"}

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   **TIP:&#x20;**&#x41;lternatively, you can select **FILE > Alter options** from the DairyComp menu to open the Alter options window.
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The ALTER9 : Events window opens, showing all event types configured for DairyComp.
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::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/Dss23mi5OzRpTth9eAO1X_eventswindow.jpg" size="32" width="1063" height="591" position="flex-start" darkWidth="1063" darkHeight="591" showCaption="false" indent="2"}

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Each event has a number (called an event code) and a DairyComp command associated with it. You can change or delete existing events or add new events from the Events window.
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2. Click **Add \[Ins]** to add a new event, and then enter the details for the event in the pop-up window.
   The system automatically assigns the next available event code to your new event. In the example below, you can see that the event code is 50.

   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/B8914c1KzxGV_laX97FbF_neweventwindow.png" size="32" width="507" height="372" position="flex-start" darkWidth="507" darkHeight="372" showCaption="false"}

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   **NOTE:&#x20;**&#x44;airyComp event numbers 1-18 cannot be reassigned since they are reserved as"sacred" event types. If you have no remaining slots for new event types, contact [VAS Support](http://dc-help.vas.com/default.htm#cshid=2000).
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Follow the guidelines below to learn more about adding event details:
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<font color="#67854E">**Prompt for Event Date**</font>: Check this box to require a user to enter a date when adding the event to a CowCard.
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<font color="#67854E">**Prompt for Remark**</font>: Check this box to require a user to enter a remark when adding the event to a CowCard.
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<font color="#67854E">**Combination Event Set**</font>: Check this box to create an event that is a combination of existing event types. Once you confirm this selection, you'll be presented with a window of event types to combine.
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<font color="#67854E">**Command Content\:**</font> Shows the text for the command associated with the event, including its event code. Note that checking the various boxes in this window alters the command text. See [Command Line](docId\:u_NbRVeQbF6NzSP1bc9E0) to learn more.
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3. Once you've entered the information for the event, click **OK** to save it.
   Your new event is ready to use! The system will now display it in the Event window.