Attributes define the data stored in an object. If an object is like a table, attributes are the columns. Each object must have at least one attribute, and most will have several.
Attributes are created on the Object Specification screen after the object has been saved.
Before You Start
Decide which attributes will form the unique key before adding any attributes. Once data exists in the object, the unique key cannot be changed, nor can attribute types or required settings. For guidance on unique key design, see Understanding the Data Model.
Step 1 - Open the Object
Navigate to Objects \> Objects and select the object you want to configure.
In the Attribute section, click Detail, then click Edit.
Step 2 - Add New Attributes
Enter the number of attributes you want to create next to Add.
Click Add. A new row is created for each attribute. The Object field is automatically populated.
Step 3 - Configure Each Attribute
System Name
The internal database name. Must follow naming conventions and technical restrictions - see Data Model Naming and Design Standards. Used in configuration, processes, and the OData API. Cannot be changed once saved.
Order
Defines the display and transfer order. 1 = first column, 2 = second column, and so on. This controls both screen display order and the sequence in which data is transferred between a process and the database. Be deliberate - changing order later can affect process mappings.
Business Name
The label shown to end users. Should be clear and meaningful. Does not need to match the System Name.
Description
Explains the purpose of the attribute. Appears as a tooltip on screen. Should describe what the user is expected to enter and must not simply repeat the Business Name.
Type
Defines what kind of data the attribute stores. The type determines validation rules and available configuration options. See Attribute Data Types for a full reference. Cannot be changed once data exists in the object.
Required
True - a value is mandatory
False - the field may be left blank
Cannot be changed to True if the object already contains data.
Unique Identifier
Determines whether the attribute forms part of the object's unique key. One or more attributes may be included. Cannot be changed once data exists.
Reference Object (if Type = Reference)
If the type is set to Reference, select the object being referenced. This provides a dropdown list to users, prevents invalid entries, and enforces referential integrity.
Filterable
Determines whether users can filter on this attribute in screens. Set to True for key or frequently filtered fields.
Summary
Controls whether the attribute appears in the default Summary view of the screen.
True - visible in Summary view
False - only visible in Detail view
Include only the most important fields in Summary view.
Locking Date
If the object uses data locking, set this to True on the date attribute used for the lock date comparison. This must be set explicitly even if there is only one date attribute on the object.
Unit
Optional. For numeric attributes, you can assign a unit of measure. Units display labels on screens and in process inputs but do not trigger automatic conversion.
Validation
Optional. Allows you to apply a predefined validation rule to control acceptable values. See Creating Data Validation Rules.
Important Restrictions
Before saving, confirm that:
the correct attributes are marked as part of the unique key - this cannot be changed once data exists
Type and Required settings are correct - these cannot be changed once data exists
These settings are structural and affect data integrity, imports, and process behaviour.
Custom Display Ordering
By default, screen display order follows the unique key. You can override this by adding a special attribute named ES_ORDER. This must be an Integer, must not be part of the unique key, and should be set to Required. See Data Model Naming and Design Standards for more detail.
Step 4 - Save
Enter an Audit Comment explaining why the attributes were created.
Click Save and Refresh.
The object is now fully defined and ready for use.