vtigercrmentity

vtiger_crmentity is a core table in the vtiger CRM database. It functions as the central repository for metadata shared by all CRM modules, storing information that applies to every record regardless of its module. The table enables unified handling of records and supports features such as ownership, auditing, and soft deletion.

Key fields typically found in vtiger_crmentity include crmid, which serves as the primary key for the record, and setype, which identifies the module to which the record belongs (for example Accounts, Contacts, Leads, or HelpDesk). The smownerid field records the user who currently owns the record, while createdtime and modifiedtime track when the record was created and last updated. A deleted flag is used to implement soft deletion, allowing records to be hidden without being physically removed from the database.

Most module-specific data is stored in separate tables named vtiger_<Module>, with crmid acting as the linking key to vtiger_crmentity. By keeping common attributes in vtiger_crmentity, vtiger can perform cross-module operations, such as global searches, permissions checks, reporting, and workflow triggers, more efficiently.

In practice, vtiger_crmentity underpins core CRM functionality: it provides the module-agnostic backbone for record identification, ownership, timestamps, and deletion status, while the detailed fields for each module live in their respective tables. The design supports extensibility, enabling custom modules to integrate with the same central metadata structure. Different vtiger versions may adjust column details, but the conceptual role of vtiger_crmentity as the shared entity metadata table remains consistent.