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Item lookup designs

Represent a set of predefined choices​

Link attributes can function as lookup lists. By pointing a Link attribute to a lookup design, a list of item choices will be displayed when populating that Link attribute on items, e.g. imagine a Material Types design with items to represent "Metal", "Wood", "Plastic" etc.

Compared to a basic Text attribute, lookup items provide several benefits:

  • users are limited to a consistent set of choices

  • icons and colours can convey meaning

  • editing a lookup item will update it everywhere

  • lookup items can have their own attributes

To provide a lookup list:

  1. Create a lookup design with one or more attributes.

  2. Create items of that design to represent each possible choice.

  3. On relevant designs, add a Link attribute to the lookup design.

This is demonstrated by the Tasks interface. Its Status attribute links to items of the Task Statuses design.

A list of Task Statuses items

Create a lookup design​

To create a design that represents an item lookup:

  1. On the start screen, select Create design. If you already have one open, select Create design in the top-right corner instead.

  2. Choose the Item lookup design type.

  3. Fill in the details and then select Create design.

info

If you're unable to create a design, your user account may lack the required permissions.

Standard lookup design details​

Lookup designs only implement the standard Items interface. Therefore, lookup items only inherit the standard set of properties and attributes. This provides a blank canvas for you to customise the lookup design and add the attributes you want.

Details​

If left blank or unchanged, the lookup design will inherit the following properties:

  • Collections - lookup items can belong to the Live or Archive collections.

  • Geometry - is optional and all geometry types are allowed.

  • Icon - icon-shape-circle

  • Colour - #690095

Attributes​

The following standard attributes are inherited from the Items interface:

  • Geometry - coordinates describing the lookup item's location and shape.

  • Title - standard primary text label.

  • Subtitle - standard secondary text label.