Item Attributes Tutorials

What attributes provide is explained on Item Attributes. The fields in fixed attribute sets cannot be removed or renamed. Only their values can be edited.

💡These tutorials explain how to create and manage attributes.

When to Add Estimating Attributes#

1. Add Estimating Attributes to an item to use the item in Estimates.
2. There are several sets of Estimating Attributes. BOS automatically chooses the set that matches the Type of Item.
3. Each set (Tasks, Outwork, Materials or Assemblies, and Costing) adds its own parameters (see Item Attributes).

When to Add Substrate Waste Attributes to Materials#

1. Consider adding the Substrate Waste Attribute to items if:
   1. You use substrates that consist of Sheets or Reels.
   2. You use the setup units and run percentage (see Item Attributes).

When to Add Substrate Waste Attributes to Costings or Assemblies#

1. Consider adding the Substrate Waste Attribute to items if:
   1. You use substrates that consist of Sheets or Reels.
   2. You use the setup units and run percentage (see Item Attributes).

When to Add Constraint Attributes#

1. Consider adding the Constraints Attributes to items if:
   1. You use substrates that consist of Sheets or Reels.
   2. You use the maximum depth and width, and the top, bottom and side margins (see Item Attributes).

How to Add a Fixed Attribute Set#

1. Navigate to the item you want to edit (Main Menu > Setup > Items > Double-click the item).
2. Click Edit (button) on the top row of buttons if it is not blue.
3. Click Detail (tab).
4. Click the arrow on Attributes (button), hover your mouse over Add and click one of these options:
   • Estimating
     • Note: The Item Type determines which Estimating Set is added.
   • Substrate Waste
   • Constraints

How to Remove a Fixed Attribute Set#

1. Navigate to the item you want to edit (Main Menu > Setup > Items > Double-click the item).
2. Click Edit (button) on the top row of buttons if it is not blue.
3. Click Detail (tab).
4. Click the arrow on Attributes (button) next to Add.
5. Click Remove and click one of these options:
   • Estimating
   • Substrate Waste
   • Constraints

How to Create Custom Attributes#

1. Navigate to Main Menu > Setup > Items.
2. Click Menu (button) > Edit Attributes.
3. Click Attributes (tab).
4. Click Add/Edit (button) on the top row.
5. Fill in the top row as follows:
   1. Group (group section left) = Enter a name for the group if you are creating a group.
   2. Group (attribute section) = Select a group from the dropdown list, or leave it blank if you are creating a group (the group name is added when you click Save).
   3. Name = Enter a name for the attribute using lowercase letters and no special characters.
   4. Caption = Enter the caption that users see.
   5. Editor = Select one of these options:
      • Text: Users must enter text.
      • Number (0 Decimals): Users must enter a number with no decimals.
      • Number (2 Decimals): Users must enter a number and can include up to two decimals.
      • Number (4 Decimals): Users must enter a number and can include up to four decimals.
      • Combobox (Fixed): Users must select an option from the lookup list.
      • Combobox (Edit): Users may select an option from the lookup list or enter a different option.
      • Lookup SQL: Creates a lookup list from which users must select an option.
        1. Right-click the field and select View/Edit Lookup SQL.
        2. Edit the SQL as needed.
        3. Click Test.
        4. Click Save.
   6. Lookups = If you selected Combobox (Edit) or Combobox (Fixed) under Editor, create the lookup list:
      1. Enter the first lookup entry, press Enter, then enter the next entry, and so on.
      2. Check or uncheck the Auto Height box to show or hide the full lookup lists.
6. Click Save (button).

How to Delete Custom Attributes#

1. Navigate to Main Menu > Setup > Items.
2. Click Menu (button) > Edit Attributes.
3. Click Attributes (tab).
4. Right-click the attribute to delete and select Delete.
5. Confirm the deletion on the popup.

How to Delete Custom Attribute Groups#

1. Navigate to Main Menu > Setup > Items.
2. Click Menu (button) > Edit Attributes.
3. Click Attributes (tab).
4. Delete all the attributes in the group, as explained under How to Delete Custom Attributes above.
5. Right-click the group name and select Delete.
6. Confirm the deletion on the popup.

How to Edit Custom Attributes#

1. Navigate to Main Menu > Setup > Items.
2. Click Menu (button) > Edit Attributes.
3. Click Attributes (tab).
4. Click Add/Edit (button) on the top row.
5. Make your changes.
6. Click Save (button).

How to Add Custom Attributes to Items#

1. Navigate to Main Menu > Setup > Items.
2. Double-click an item to edit it or click New (button) to create an item.
3. Click Edit (button) on the top row if it is not blue.
4. Click Detail (tab).
5. On the second section, click Attributes (button), hover over Add and click the attribute you want to add.
6. Repeat Step 5 to add more attributes.
7. Enter the attribute values:
   1. Click the arrow next to an attribute to expand it.
   2. Edit the fields in the Value column.

How to Remove a Custom Attribute From an Item#

1. Navigate to the item you want to edit (Main Menu > Setup > Items > Double-click the item).
2. Click Edit (button) on the top row of buttons.
3. Click Detail (tab).
4. On the Attribute section, click Attributes (button), hover over Remove and click the attribute you want to remove.
   • Note: This step removes the attribute from the item only. It stays in the list of Custom Attributes.