Introduction
The following document will explain how to enter free flow or entry attributes in Paragon.
Find out more about what attributes are and how they can be used.
Here, we'll walk you through how to create free flow or free entry text and number attributes. Note that there isn't a limitation on the number of attributes you can create in Paragon.
Open attribute setup
From any screen, hit the settings button. This will bring you to the settings page.
Under the attributes card, click on attribute setup to access the attributes setup module.
Create a new attribute
To add an attribute, hit the create new attribute button.
Name your attribute
First, enter the attribute name. Then, hit the next button.
When you hit the next button, certain conditions will be validated:
- The name must begin with a non-space character
- The attribute name must be unique
Note that once you've completed setting up your attribute, the name of the attribute cannot be changed.
Choose the attribute type
Now, choose the type of attribute you want. You can select from:
- Freeflow text or number entry
- List to choose from
- Money and currency
- On/Off
- Date picker
In this case we want to select freeflow text or number entry.
Once you've selected the attribute type, hit the next button.
You will be asked how to handle the free flowing text. It can be handled as text or as a number.
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 reference 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, hit the next button.
On the next screen you can decide the attribute's specific details. You can assign minimum and maximum characters and whether or not you want special formatting for your freeflow text entry attribute.
You can also format the field in a specific way. For instance a Person ID could consist of 8 numbers with a dash (-) separating the two sets of four. To do this, enter in four spaces, a dash (-), another four spaces.
If you do not require special formatting, leave this field blank. Once you are ready to move on, hit the next button.
On the next screen you can decide what text appears, by default, in this attribute. Any time this attribute is used, the text you enter here will display until you change it.
Once you're happy with the default text or want the attribute to be left blank, hit 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.
When you're happy with the attribute, hit the save changes button.
What's next?
Once you've created all your attributes, the next step will be to associate them to reference modules or transaction modules.