Create, edit, or delete attributes

You can create, edit, or delete attribute values for assets or structures and establishments. Attributes are characteristics that display as data entry fields.

Example: An attribute could be an address, structural information, dates associated to the asset, etc.

To create an attribute

  1. From the Administration menu, either:

    • Select Structures & establishments > Attribute

      or

    • Select Assets > Attribute

  2. Select New.

  3. Complete the attribute fields.

    Note: If you select Yes from the Is dropdown list field, you must define the attribute values for the item. You define attribute values after selecting Submit for the attribute. The attribute values you define display in a dropdown list when the user creates an asset, structure, or establishment with this attribute type.

    Field name Field description
    Attribute group Use this field to organize the attributes. Choose a group for the attribute from the drop-down list.
    Attribute label

    (Required) Enter the label of the attribute the user sees when adding or editing an asset, structure, or establishment.

    Example: You can have an attribute called “District” for an asset, but different assets have different districts. You can create multiple district attributes, like DistrictWater and DistrictPark, but give them all the same label.
    Attribute name

    (Required) Enter a unique attribute name, such as "Commercial Establishment Capacity." The attribute name is a unique name for the attribute.

    Note: This name only displays for administrators.
    Value data type

    (Required) Set a default value for the attribute. When a user creates an asset, structure, or establishment that includes this value or attribute, the field has this default value, making the user experience more efficient. To apply a date, select the date picker.
    Description Enter a description for the attribute.
    Attribute length Enter the number of characters the attribute field allows.
    Default value

    Enter a default value. When a user creates an asset, structure, or establishment that includes this value or attribute, the field displays the default value, making the user experience more efficient.

    Note: If you are configuring a drop-down list, you can add values to the drop-down list so that a user has multiple values from which to choose.
    Unit type Use the list menu to choose the unit type to be attributed to this attribute.
    Value required flag Select Yes to require this attribute to be mandatory for the template.
    Display order

    Enter a number to determine the position of the first field.

    Example: If you want the field to display before any other fields, enter 1.
    Searchable flag Select Yes to display the field when a user begins a search for an asset, structure, or establishment. When searching, the search form displays the appropriate attributes when the user selects a Group and a Type.
    Is dropdown list? Select Yes if you want the attribute to have a drop-down list providing specific values for the user. These values display to the user when they create an asset with this attribute.
    Use shared drop-down lists

    Select this option to associate shared drop-down lists with an asset attribute. When you select this option, a search field enables you to search for existing shared drop-down lists.

    • If you search for a shared drop-down list that does not match any existing shared drop-down lists, then the Shared drop-down list search page opens. Use this page to search for existing shared drop-down lists.

    • If you search for a shared drop-down list that matches one existing shared drop-down list, then the existing shared drop-down list displays on the Attribute form.

    • If you search for a shared drop-down list that matches multiple existing shared drop-down lists, then the Shared drop-down list select page opens and you can select the desired drop-down list.

    Range search flag

    Select Yes to allow for range searches for this attribute.

    Note: The Range search flag field is only available for Date and Number value data types and is disabled when other value data types are selected.

  4. Select Save.

Your agency can have thousands of attributes for the different assets, structures, and establishments your agency manages. Before you can modify or review details about an asset, you must find it.

To search for an attribute

  1. From the Administration menu, either:

    • Select Structures & establishments > Attribute

      or

    • Select Assets > Attribute

  2. Select Search.

  3. Enter any search criteria in the fields.

  4. Select Submit.

  5. Select the Attribute name you want to work with.

You can edit existing attributes. You might need to change the size of the attribute’s field to accommodate longer words, or change other elements of an attribute.

Example: You might have an attribute for your agency’s vehicles that records whether they have diesel engines or gasoline engines. As technology advances, you can modify that attribute to include a classification for a hybrid electric engine.

To edit an attribute

  1. From the Administration menu, either:

    • Select Structures & establishments > Attribute

      or

    • Select Assets > Attribute

  2. Select the Attribute name you want to work with.

  3. Make changes to any available fields that display in the Attribute detail tab.

  4. Select Save.

If you no longer need a particular attribute, you can delete it. If you include the attribute in a template, you cannot delete it. Before you attempt to delete an attribute from your system, delete it from any templates.

To delete an attribute

  1. From the Administration menu, either:

    • Select Structures & establishments > Attribute

      or

    • Select Assets > Attribute

  2. Select the check box next to each attribute you want to delete.

  3. Select Delete.