--- title: Create a freeflow text or number entry attribute description: This document explains how to enter free flow or free entry text or number attributes in ParagonERP. --- [Skip to content](https://support.paragon-erp.com/create-a-freeflow-text-or-number-entry-attribute#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![paragon logo-1.png\]](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/paragon%20logo-1.png?width=240&height=75&name=paragon%20logo-1.png)](https://support.paragon-erp.com/?hsLang=en) - [New Ticket](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1PiwaZCxTRpabuHVnQxGeXQc751y) - [Tickets](https://help.paragon-erp.com/tickets) - [Knowledge Base](https://support.paragon-erp.com/) - [Sign out](https://20488534.hs-sites.com/_hcms/mem/logout) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [New Ticket](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1PiwaZCxTRpabuHVnQxGeXQc751y) - [Tickets](https://help.paragon-erp.com/tickets) - [Knowledge Base](https://support.paragon-erp.com/) - [Sign out](https://20488534.hs-sites.com/_hcms/mem/logout) - English Show submenu for translations - [Go to website](https://www.paragon-erp.com/) [Go to website](https://www.paragon-erp.com/?hsLang=en) Welcome! Search our Knowledge Base. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [ParagonERP](https://support.paragon-erp.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Configuring Paragon](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en) 3. [Attributes](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#attributes) June 29, 2026 # Create a freeflow text or number entry attribute ### **Introduction** This document will explains how to enter free flow or free entry text or number [attributes](https://support.paragon-erp.com/what-are-attributes-and-attribute-values?hsLang=en) in ParagonERP. ### **Process description:** A **freeflow text or number** attribute is used for fields of information that need to be entered manually (by typing), and are not predetermined to pick from a list. For example, somebody's name or phone number is a freeflow text entry. This attribute type can also be used for creating percentage attributes.  ### **Step-by-step instructions:** - #### **Step 1: Open attribute setup** From any screen, click the **settings** button. This will bring you to the settings page. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-58-6933-PM-1-1-3-1.png) Under the **attributes** card, click on **attribute setup** to access the attributes setup module. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Attribute%20Settings-jpg-Aug-11-2025-01-41-20-2421-PM.jpeg?width=670&height=317&name=Attribute%20Settings-jpg-Aug-11-2025-01-41-20-2421-PM.jpeg) - #### **Step 2: Create a new attribute** To add an attribute, click the **create new attribute** button. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-33-00-4359-PM-1-1-3-1.png) - #### **Step 3: Name your attribute** Enter the attribute name. Then, click the **next** button. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-29%20091034-png.png?width=884&height=699&name=Screenshot%202026-06-29%20091034-png.png)     When you click the **next** button, the conditions listed below the name will be validated: - The name must begin with a non-space character - The attribute name must be unique - The name can't be changed once the attribute is used - The name can't contain the \< and \> characters   - #### **Step 4: Choose the attribute type** Choose the type of attribute you want. You can select from: In this case we want to select ***freeflow text* *or*** ***number entry**.* *![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-52-7146-PM-1-1-3-1.png)*   Once you've selected the attribute type, click the **next** button. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-57-9953-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   You will be asked if you want to use the free flowing text as text or as a number. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-51-8213-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   Select the option that applies: - **Text**: Select this option if the values entered will be text or numbers that do not have a mathematical meaning such as phone numbers. - **Number**: Select this option if you'll need to perform mathematical equations on the values entered. This would also be used to set a percentage attribute as long as the % sign is used in the name of the attribute. Once you've selected an option, click the **next** button. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-50-2562-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   On the next screen you can decide the attribute's specific details. You can assign the minimum and maximum number of characters allowed and whether or not you want special formatting for your freeflow text entry attribute. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-46-8114-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   An example of formatting is a *Person ID* that consists of 8 numbers with a dash (-) separating the two sets of four. To do this, enter in four spaces, a dash (-), another four spaces. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-56-1819-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   If you do not require special formatting, leave this field blank. Once you are ready to move on, click the **next** button. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-53-6540-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   On the next screen you can decide what text appears for this attribute, by default. Any time this attribute is used, the text you enter here will display until you change it. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-54-3635-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   Once you're happy with the default text or want the attribute to be left blank, click the **next** button. Now you can choose a category for your attribute and add an optional description. There is also a preview of what the attribute will look like. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-33-01-3585-PM-1-1-3-1.png) ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-57-0347-PM-1-1-3-1.png) ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-51-0730-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   When you're happy with the attribute, click the **save changes** button. ![](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/DocsDisplay-Feb-02-2024-09-32-59-4975-PM-1-1-3-1.png)   ### **What's next?** Once you've created all your attributes, the next step will be to associate them to[reference](https://support.paragon-erp.com/how-to-set-up-reference-screens?hsLang=en) modules or [transaction](https://support.paragon-erp.com/setting-up-transaction-screens?hsLang=en) modules.     - [Paragon Basics](https://support.paragon-erp.com/paragon-basics?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Paragon Modules & Features](https://support.paragon-erp.com/paragon-basics?hsLang=en#paragon-modules-features) - [Basic use Paragon](https://support.paragon-erp.com/paragon-basics?hsLang=en#basic-use-paragon) - [Advanced use Paragon](https://support.paragon-erp.com/paragon-basics?hsLang=en#advanced-use-paragon) - [Paragon policies](https://support.paragon-erp.com/paragon-basics?hsLang=en#paragon-policies) - [Customer](https://support.paragon-erp.com/paragon-basics?hsLang=en#customer) - [Configuring Paragon](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Basic Settings](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#basic-settings) - [Advanced Settings](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#advanced-settings) - [My Company Settings](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#my-company-settings) - [User Management & Access](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#user-management-access) - [Import & Export](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#import-export) - [Attributes](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#attributes) - [PDF Templates](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#pdf-templates) - [Configuring - Aloha](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#configuring-aloha) - [Product](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#product) - [Associations](https://support.paragon-erp.com/configuring-paragon?hsLang=en#associations) - [Purchase](https://support.paragon-erp.com/purchase?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Vendor & Product](https://support.paragon-erp.com/purchase?hsLang=en#vendor-product) - [Purchase Order](https://support.paragon-erp.com/purchase?hsLang=en#purchase-order) - [In Transit & Receiving](https://support.paragon-erp.com/purchase?hsLang=en#in-transit-receiving) - [Vendor Invoicing](https://support.paragon-erp.com/purchase?hsLang=en#vendor-invoicing) - [Vendor](https://support.paragon-erp.com/purchase?hsLang=en#vendor) - [Manufacturing](https://support.paragon-erp.com/manufacturing?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Work Orders](https://support.paragon-erp.com/manufacturing?hsLang=en#work-orders) - [Bill of Materials](https://support.paragon-erp.com/manufacturing?hsLang=en#bill-of-materials) - [material](https://support.paragon-erp.com/manufacturing?hsLang=en#material) - [Inventory](https://support.paragon-erp.com/inventory?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Warehouse Management](https://support.paragon-erp.com/inventory?hsLang=en#warehouse-management) - [Inventory Adjustment](https://support.paragon-erp.com/inventory?hsLang=en#inventory-adjustment) - [Inventory Value](https://support.paragon-erp.com/inventory?hsLang=en#inventory-value) - [Inventory Transfer](https://support.paragon-erp.com/inventory?hsLang=en#inventory-transfer) - [Picking](https://support.paragon-erp.com/inventory?hsLang=en#picking) - [Packing](https://support.paragon-erp.com/inventory?hsLang=en#packing) - [Sales](https://support.paragon-erp.com/sales?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Sales Order](https://support.paragon-erp.com/sales?hsLang=en#sales-order) - [Reservations](https://support.paragon-erp.com/sales?hsLang=en#reservations) - [Returns](https://support.paragon-erp.com/sales?hsLang=en#returns) - [Invoicing](https://support.paragon-erp.com/sales?hsLang=en#invoicing) - [Finance](https://support.paragon-erp.com/finance?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Financial Settings](https://support.paragon-erp.com/finance?hsLang=en#financial-settings) - [GL Mapping](https://support.paragon-erp.com/finance?hsLang=en#gl-mapping) - [Journal Entries](https://support.paragon-erp.com/finance?hsLang=en#journal-entries) - [Reports](https://support.paragon-erp.com/reports?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Financial Reporting](https://support.paragon-erp.com/reports?hsLang=en#financial-reporting) - [WIGO](https://support.paragon-erp.com/reports?hsLang=en#wigo) - [Integrations](https://support.paragon-erp.com/integrations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [QuickBooks](https://support.paragon-erp.com/integrations?hsLang=en#quickbooks) - [Minox](https://support.paragon-erp.com/integrations?hsLang=en#minox) - [Shopify](https://support.paragon-erp.com/integrations?hsLang=en#shopify) - [2Ship](https://support.paragon-erp.com/integrations?hsLang=en#2ship) - [Mobile](https://support.paragon-erp.com/integrations?hsLang=en#mobile) - [Google](https://support.paragon-erp.com/integrations?hsLang=en#google) - [Release Notes & Rules](https://support.paragon-erp.com/release-notes-rules?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Rules](https://support.paragon-erp.com/release-notes-rules?hsLang=en#rules) - [Release Notes](https://support.paragon-erp.com/release-notes-rules?hsLang=en#release-notes) - [Transactions](https://support.paragon-erp.com/transactions?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Receive Payment](https://support.paragon-erp.com/transactions?hsLang=en#receive-payment) - [Transaction Basics](https://support.paragon-erp.com/transactions?hsLang=en#transaction-basics) - [Quote](https://support.paragon-erp.com/transactions?hsLang=en#quote) - [Sales Order](https://support.paragon-erp.com/transactions?hsLang=en#sales-order) - [Make Payment](https://support.paragon-erp.com/transactions?hsLang=en#make-payment) - [Credit](https://support.paragon-erp.com/transactions?hsLang=en#credit) - [Invoice](https://support.paragon-erp.com/transactions?hsLang=en#invoice) [![Logo for ParagonERP](https://support.paragon-erp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/paragon%20logo.png?width=401&height=126&name=paragon%20logo.png "Logo for ParagonERP")](https://www.paragon-erp.com?hsLang=en) We do our utmost to share all relevant information for our customers here. Still missing the answer to a question? Then please contact support. Copyright © 2026, ParagonERP