Final answer:
The correct answer is option 2) Custom field of any type. An external ID is a custom field that can be used to uniquely identify records in a database system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is option 2) Custom field of any type.
An external ID is a custom field that can be used to uniquely identify records in a database system. It is typically used when integrating with external systems or when importing data. External ID can be assigned to any type of custom field, including text, number, formula, email, phone number, URL, and more.
For example, if you have a custom field named 'External_ID__c' in Salesforce, you can use it to link records with an external system based on a unique identifier.