Metadata (description) attributes can be applied to all objects in the System Setup > Reference Types folder, including a Reference type, a Product to Classification Link type, the Classification Attribute link type, and the Product Attribute link type.
Metadata is maintained on the References or Referenced By tabs of the object where the reference or link is applied. Different attributes can be selected for each type of reference or link type.
Example of metadata on a reference or link
Consider product 98332 (KIT), which includes two sockets and is referencing an image to be used for Print. Different metadata attributes are needed for references applied to images and the references applied to products.
- A description attribute named Quantity has been applied the reference type Assembly. This attribute holds number of sockets to be included in the kit.
- A description attribute named 'ERP Name' has been applied the reference type Print. This attribute holds the name of the reference used in an ERP System.
For information on adding metadata to the attribute link types, refer to Product Attribute Link Type (here) or Classification Attribute Link Type (here).
Deleting References
When a reference for an approved object is deleted from the main workspace, the reference metadata is retained (although not displayed). This enables the metadata to be revived when that reference is revived from the Tree recycle bin or when the same reference type is recreated. For example, a reference is deleted from an approved object but not purged from the recycle bin. Subsequently, a reference with the same source and target is created via an import. Since this 'new' reference for the object matches the deleted one, it is actually revived from the recycle bin. In this example, the previously deleted reference and its metadata attribute values are restored.
For more information, on the recycle bin, refer to the Recycle Bin for Tree topic in the Getting Started documentation here.
Add a Metadata Attribute
Although the images below show a reference type, the same setup is used for adding metadata on a Product to Classification link type.
- In System Setup > Attribute Groups > select the description attribute that should be added as metadata on the reference or link. Specification attributes and groups cannot be added as metadata.
- Open one (or more) reference types flippers or the link types flippers.
- Select all reference types and link types that should display the metadata attribute. Checking an option also updates the Attributes flipper of the selected reference or link type.
For more information, refer to Validity on Description Attributes in the System Setup
- Add the description attribute from the 'Attributes on Reference / Link Types' section to the attribute group's View Definition so it will display in the object editors as metadata on any reference or link in the group. For detailed steps, refer to Creating a Customized View section in the Attribute Groups topic of the System Setup documentation
- Verify that the metadata attribute is available on the reference.
Edit a Metadata Attribute
Although the images below show a reference type, the same setup is used for editing metadata on a Product to Classification link type.
On the References tab, double-click an editable field (any white field as shown above) and edit using the available functionality based on the type of the metadata attribute.
- Modify the value directly in the field by adding text or selecting from a dropdown.
- Double-click (or right-click > Edit) to display a value editor.
Choose a value and use the necessary arrow button to include it in the Selected Values list, or to rearrange the order of the values.
Add or modify text, including styles, character tags, and spell check.
Edits made to metadata on a reference or link are displayed:
