How do I create, edit, and delete Custom Properties?

In this article, learn about custom properties; the building blocks of Idencia processes

Overview

Create Custom Properties

Total In Shipments

Create a Drop Down List

Edit a Custom Property

Delete a Custom Property

Overview

Custom Properties are placeholders for information about Items, Item Types, and Jobs.  You create a Custom Property for each piece of information you wish to capture.  

Custom Properties come in 3 classes.  The class of the Custom Property defines what it is associated with.

1. Item Type Custom Properties - these are associated with Item Types or Custom Item Types. You use Item Type Custom Properties to store information that is the same for all Items of that yype.  Examples of Item Type Custom Properties are things like: Design Weight, Design Length, Required Skew, Required Compressive Strength, etc.
2. Item Custom Properties - these are associated with Items or Item Groups.  You use Item Custom Properties to store information specific to each Item.  Examples of Item Custom Properties are things like Actual Weight, Actual Length, Actual Skew, Form ID, Inspection Date, Concrete Mix ID, Actual Compressive Strength, etc.
3. Job Custom Properties - these are associated with Jobs.  You use Job Custom Properties to store information that is specific to a job and all of the items in that job.  Examples of Job Custom Properties are Purchase Order Number, Date Due, Delivery Location, etc.

Within each class of custom property, there are three types of Custom Properties that can be created:

1. Text Custom Properties - used to store textual information. Textual information includes any combination of numbers, letters, and special characters.
2. Date Custom Properties - used to store date information.
3. Numeric Custom Properties - used to store numeric information.  Numeric information can include both whole numbers and numbers with multiple decimal places.

You must create custom properties to hold Item, Item Type, and Job information before you can input information into those fields.

Creating Custom Properties

To create a Custom Property, follow these steps:

1. Select Setup->Custom Properties from the Main Menu.  The Custom Properties page will be displayed.  This page shows all of the existing Custom Properties you have created.
2. Select the ITEMS, ITEM TYPES or JOBS tab to display the Custom Property class you wish to create.
3. Select the New Custom Property button.  The Create New Custom Property page will be displayed.
4. Select the type of Custom Property to create.  Choose from creating a Text, Date or Numeric Custom Property.  Once the type has been selected, pick the Next button.
5. Enter the name of the new Custom Property and select the Save button.  Every Custom Property name within the class must be unique, no matter the type.  You cannot have two Item Custom Properties with the same name, but you could have an Item Custom Property and an Item Type Custom Property with the same name.
   1. When creating Numeric, Item Type Custom Properties, and additional option is available.
      
      Total in Shipments - This checkbox is only available for Numeric Item Type Custom Properties.  Checking this box will add the field to the Shipment Details screen.  The application will automatically calculate and display the sum of this field across all items included in the shipment.  For example, a numeric field called Weight (lbs) could be added to each Item Type.  For each item included in a shipment, the application will sum up the total weight of all items.  This information can then be used to make sure shipments are not overweight, and the value can be included on Shipping Tickets and Bills of Lading.
6. Add a Drop Down list.  To create a list of valid values for the custom property, click the Drop Down button.  Multiple lists can be created for each property. For example, create multiple lists of valid Mix Design IDs.  Create a list of standard mixes, a list of high-strength mixes, and a list of self consolidating mixes.
   
   
7. Click +Add drop down list
8. Give your dropdown list a Title.
9. Create a list of options.  Add additional options by clicking the +Add New Custom Option button.
   1. Remove options by clicking the Delete button (-)
      
      
      
      
   2. Click Save.
10. To create another list, repeat steps 7 - 9.

Custom Properties can also be imported from a file.  See the Can I import my Custom Properties? for instructions. 

See the Custom Properties Overview article for additional information about custom property types and options.

Editing Custom Properties

You have the ability to change the name of any Custom Property.  If you change the name, all references to that Custom Property will use the new name.  You cannot change the type or class of the Custom Property once it is created.

To edit a Custom Property, simply select the Edit icon for the Custom Property you wish to change.  Enter the new name of the Custom Property and then select the Save button.

Deleting Custom Properties

You also have the ability to delete Custom Properties on a limited basis.  If an Item Custom Property is being set in any Process, you cannot delete it.  Deleting Item Custom Properties will remove the Custom Property from the Item Custom Property list. It will also delete the Custom Property and all its values from every Item.  Deleting Item Type Custom Properties will remove the Custom Property from the Item Type Custom Property list. It will also delete the Custom Property and all its values from every Item Type.  We do not recommend deleting Custom Properties unless there is no other option.

To delete a Custom Property, select the Delete icon for the Custom Property in the Custom Property page.  A confirmation page will be displayed.  Selecting the Delete button will display a second confirmation page.  Select the Delete button again to remove the Custom Property from the system.