Attributes section

Define the data to be stored

When editing a design/interface, the Attributes section lists any attributes that have been defined on it, plus the attributes inherited from any implemented interfaces.

An attribute is a data field that can store a single bit of information, like a number or date. Select an attribute to view its properties and the interface it belongs to (if inherited).

You can add any number of custom attributes to any design/interface. Custom attributes added by your organisation are identifiable by their button.

Add an attribute

To add an attribute to the current design/interface:

1. Select Add attribute.

2. Choose an attribute type from the list.

3. All attribute types have the following properties, which determine their behaviour when creating/editing items of the design. Fill them in as needed:

   • Name * - enter a distinct name that clearly identifies the attribute.

   • Required - if enabled, the attribute will need to be populated with a value before the item can be saved. It can't be left blank!

   • Read-only - if enabled, the attribute can only be populated when creating items. It can't be edited later!

   • Unique - if enabled, the attribute won't accept a value that's already stored in the same attribute on another item of this design/interface.

   • Default value - the attribute will automatically be populated with this value, which can usually be changed before saving (unless it's Read-only or excluded from an item form).

4. Fill in the other property fields as needed. For the full properties of each attribute type, see the following links:

   Details

   Icon	Type	Description	Input Method
   	AQS	Store an AQS query in JSON format	Build a query in the AQS Builder
   	Date	Store a date value, e.g. 30 April 2024	Select a value with the calendar picker
   	Date Time	Store a date and time value, e.g. 2 July 2025 13:30:00	Select a value with the calendar picker
   	Geometry	Store geometry coordinates in GeoJSON format	Draw points, lines or polygons using the Geometry Editor
   	JSON	Store JSON code	Type into a fullscreen JSON Editor
   	Link	Store the ID of one or more items of a specific design/interface	Select one or more items with the item picker
   	Number	Store a number value, e.g. 256, 3.1415	Type directly into the field
   	Seasonal	Store a date without a year, e.g. 25th December	Select a value with the calendar picker
   	Text	Store a text value, e.g. My friends and I love Alloy and use it every day	Type directly into the field
   	Time	Store a time value e.g. 14:20:55	Select a value with the calendar picker
   	Yes/No	Store a boolean value, e.g. true or false	Toggle the field to enable/disable it

5. Select Save to finish.

Edit an attribute

Select an attribute to view its properties. If the attribute was added by your organisation (it has a button and its Context is Customer), you can also edit those properties! Populate the fields as needed and select Save to finish.

If the attribute is inherited, select the displayed Go to... link to edit the attribute on the interface it belongs to. To do this a new browser tab, use middle-click or Ctrl-click.

System attributes can't be edited, except for their Name property. If you try to edit any other properties, it will fail with a DodiAttributeEditForbidden error (E1528825211). This ensures Alloy's core functionality runs consistently and reliably for everybody.

Note

Remember, any existing items of the design/interface must be updated to reflect your changes! See Bulk actions.

Delete an attribute

To delete an attribute from the design/interface, select its button and answer Yes to the confirmation.

If the attribute is populated on any existing items, this will fail with a DodiAttributeInUse error (E1594038036). Select the error notification for more details. To continue, perform a bulk action that either edits items to clear that attribute on them, or deletes the items entirely if they're no longer needed.

If the attribute doesn't have a button, select the attribute to see if it's inherited. If so, follow the Go to... link to the interface it belongs to. If not, it's a protected system attribute that can't be deleted!

Link attributes

The Link attributes section lists any Link attributes that have been defined on the current design/interface, plus the Link attributes inherited from any implemented interfaces.

A Link attribute can store references to one or more items of a specific design/interface.

You can add, edit and delete Link attributes in the same way as other attributes, as described above ⬆️.

To quickly open the design/interface targeted by a Link attribute, select its button. To open it in a new browser tab, use middle-click or Ctrl-click. Custom attributes added by your organisation are identifiable by their button, which also gives you the ability to delete the attribute as needed.