Feature: #108581 - Record type specific label configuration

Description

Previously, the TCA label configuration (ctrl['label'], ctrl['label_alt'], and ctrl['label_alt_force']) applied globally to all record types within a table. This meant that all content elements in tt_content, regardless of their CType, displayed the same field(s) as their label in the backend.

It is now possible to define a type-specific label configuration directly in the TCA types section. These settings override the global ctrl label configuration for the respective record type:

label - Primary field used for the record title
label_alt - Alternative field(s) used when label is empty (or as additional fields)
label_alt_force - Force display of alternative fields alongside the primary label

This is especially useful for tables like tt_content where different content element types may benefit from showing different fields. For example, an "Image" content element could display the image caption, while a "Text" element shows the header field.

Examples

EXT:my_extension/Configuration/TCA/tx_my_table.php

return [
    'ctrl' => [
        'label' => 'header',
        'type' => 'record_type',
        // ... other ctrl configuration
    ],
    'types' => [
        'article' => [
            'label_alt' => 'teaser',
        ],
        'event' => [
            'label_alt' => 'event_date,location',
            'label_alt_force' => true,
        ],
    ],
    // ... columns configuration
];

In this example:

All types use header as the primary label field (from ctrl['label']).
The article type additionally displays the teaser field if header is empty.
The event type displays header together with event_date and location (since label_alt_force is enabled).

When adding a new record type to an existing table, the label configuration can be provided as the 3rd argument $additionalTypeInformation of \TYPO3\CMS\Core\Utility\ExtensionManagementUtility::addRecordType.

EXT:my_extension/Configuration/TCA/Overrides/tx_my_table.php

\TYPO3\CMS\Core\Utility\ExtensionManagementUtility::addRecordType(
    [
        'label' => 'LLL:EXT:frontend/Resources/Private/Language/locallang_ttc.xlf:CType.shortcut',
        'value' => 'my-type',
        'icon' => 'my-icon',
        'group' => 'special',
    ],
    'my-header',
    [
        'label' => 'header',
        'label_alt' => 'records',
    ]
);

Impact

Tables with multiple record types can now define more specific and descriptive labels for each type in the backend user interface. This improves usability and clarity for editors by making it immediately obvious which type of record is being displayed.

This feature is especially useful for:

Content element tables such as tt_content with different CType values
Tables with distinct record types serving different purposes
Plugin records with varying functionality per type
Any table where the record type changes the record's purpose or meaning

All places in TYPO3 that use \TYPO3\CMS\Backend\Utility\BackendUtility::getRecordTitle() automatically benefit from this feature without any code changes. This includes record lists, page trees, history views, workspaces, and similar backend modules.

Functionality like FormEngine records cannot profit yet from this option, as FormEngine does not support Schema API yet.