Custom attributes let you capture additional metadata on ION records beyond the default fields. They are available for the following entity types:
| Entity | Where in Settings |
|---|
| Procedures | Settings > Production > Procedures |
| Standard steps | Settings > Production > Standard Steps |
| Runs | Settings > Production > Runs |
| Issues | Settings > Quality > Issues |
| Parts | Settings > Supply Chain > Parts |
| Purchases | Settings > Supply Chain > Purchases |
| Receipts | Settings > Supply Chain > Receipts |
| Suppliers | Settings > Supply Chain > Suppliers |
| Part kits | Settings > Supply Chain > Part Kits |
| Locations | Settings > Supply Chain > Locations |
| Parts Inventory | Settings > Supply Chain > Parts Inventory |
| Plans | Settings > Supply Chain > Plans |
| Further Actions | Settings > Quality > Further Actions |
Add a custom attribute
To add a custom attribute:
- Go to the Settings page for the entity you want to extend (see table above).
- In the Attributes section, enter a Name for the attribute.
- Select a Type from the dropdown.
- Click Add. The attribute is saved immediately.
Attribute types
The Type dropdown lists these options. After you save the attribute, ION shows the type as a badge, which can use a different label than the dropdown option.
| Dropdown option | Badge label | Description |
|---|
| String | String | Free-text input. |
| Number | Number | Numeric value. |
| Boolean | Boolean | On or off toggle. |
| Datetime | Date & Time | Date and time picker. |
| FileAttachment | File | File attachment. |
| Select | Select | Single-choice dropdown. You define the options after creation. |
| Multiselect | Multi-Select | Multiple-choice dropdown. You define the options after creation. |
| ION: Parts | ION: Parts | Reference to a part record. |
| ION: Users | ION: Users | Reference to a user. |
| Rich Text | Rich Text | Formatted text. Available only on entity types that support rich text. |
Add or remove options for select and multi-select attributes
Select and multi-select attributes require you to define their options separately after creation.
- In the Attributes section, find the attribute and click the expand arrow next to it.
- To add an option, type the option name in the input field and press Enter or click Add.
- To remove an option, click the X next to the option you want to remove.
You can’t remove an option that’s currently applied to a record.
Edit a custom attribute
The name and type of a custom attribute can’t be changed after creation. To rename an attribute or change its type, delete it and create a new one.
For Select and Multi-Select attributes, you can add and remove options at any time. See Add or remove options.
Delete a custom attribute
Deleting a custom attribute can’t be undone. The attribute stops appearing on
new and existing records.
- In the Attributes section, find the attribute you want to delete.
- Click X on the attribute row.
- In the confirmation dialog, click Delete.
How attribute values copy between records
When you duplicate a record, ION carries its custom attribute values to the new record in these cases:
- Splitting an inventory line copies the parent’s attribute values to the new line.
- Copying a purchase order copies attribute values on both the order and its lines.
- Creating a new part revision copies the source revision’s attribute values.
Creating a brand-new part does not copy attribute values, since there is no source record to copy from.