Custom Attributes

Descriptive data is added to assets via custom attribute fields. Attributes empower users to:

• Search for specific assets based on attribute criteria.
• Sort gallery contents by attribute values.
• Narrow gallery results using attribute facets. 
• View individual asset's data.
• Map existing XMP data to attributes while uploading assets. 

Configuring custom attributes

To view custom attributes in your NetX site, log into NetX as an administrator. Use the System button in the left sidebar and choose the Attributes tab.

Creating custom attributes

From the Attributes tab in the System area, use the plus + button found in the upper-left of the attributes page to begin creating a new attribute:

1. Object types determine whether the attribute can be used in Assets or Video clips – or both. This choice cannot be changed later.
2. The Type determines the kind of input users can apply to the attribute. This choice cannot be changed later.
3. The Name is the label displayed on the field. Attribute names are limited to 100 characters.
4. The Value depends on the type chosen for the new attribute. For attributes such as text, text area, or number input types, the value entered here will act as default – the value applied if no other value is added.
   
   If the attribute type selected is pulldown or tag, the administrator must select or create a predefined Vocabulary that will present a list of values to users for selection while editing attributes.
5. Minimum user level determines who can see the new attribute and its values, preventing any user below the customized user level from seeing the attribute in any context. A selection of No minimum will allow users of any level to see the attribute. Note that this setting does not affect which users can edit the attribute if they have permission to edit attributes based on their user level.
6. Sync metadata allows the current attribute to be synced, meaning assets imported into the system with values in these preset XMP fields will write those values to the custom attribute automatically.
7. Toggles whether or not an attribute is Mandatory. If an attribute is mandatory assets cannot be uploaded nor edited without at least one value.
8. Pulldown and tag attributes can be used as search facets by toggling this checkbox.
9. Enabling attribute history means NetX will retain a record of all changes made to the attribute, accessed via an asset's detail page. Note: history tracking begins when this feature is enabled. If toggled off, any previous history will be unretrievable.
10. Clicking Cancel will close the window and all changes will be lost; no attribute will be created. Save will create a new attribute with your settings.

Editing a custom attribute

1. From the Attributes tab in the system area, click the menu  button which accompanies the attribute you would like to edit.

2. Choose Edit attribute. Alternately, clicking the attribute line will open the editor.

3. When finished editing your attribute, click Save.

Deleting an attribute

From the list of custom attributes on the Attributes tab of the System area, select the action menu icon that accompanies the attribute you would like to delete; choose Delete.

Ordering attributes

If your site allows attribute reordering, attributes can be rearranged in their list order using the drag button to the left of each attribute. Attributes will appear in gallery and editing contexts in the order they are arranged here. By default, attributes are ordered in descending chronological order. 

Attribute types

NetX provides the following attribute types to accommodate a diverse range of data input:

Text

Text attributes are simple, one-line text input fields. Text attributes can be used as a link if the sole content of the text field is a URL beginning with either http:// or https:// and will be clickable in any read-only attribute context, such as in the gallery. 

Text area

Text area attributes are larger text fields that can be used for longer inputs, such as paragraphs.

Pulldown

Pulldown attributes provide a curated dropdown list of value options in a drop-down list — users can only select one value per attribute. To manage the attribute values used in a Pulldown, see Vocabularies.

Date

Date attributes limit user input to a standard date format. The date value is input using a pop-up calendar from which the user can select the desired date. Date attributes can be created or edited with a default date.

Tag

Tag attributes are powered by a vocabulary — a predefined list of attribute values.

• Select a preexisting vocabulary as the source when creating a Tag.
• The Allow users to create new values checkbox lets users add to the vocabulary when tagging assets. It also allows embedded metadata and attribute data imports to auto-add new values when mapped to tag fields. If unchecked, users can only select existing values. To allow users to create values without predefined options, use a blank vocabulary.

Number

Number attributes restrict user inputs to number values. Administrators can choose to further limit which number values will be accepted by the attribute while editing assets:

• Whole number: Restricts number inputs to only whole numbers, i.e. numbers without decimals.
• Once decimal: Restricts number inputs to numbers with only one digit after the decimal point, if any.
• Two decimals: Restricts number inputs to numbers with only two digits after the decimal point, if any.
• Three decimals: Restricts number inputs to numbers with only three digits after the decimal point, if any.
• Unlimited: Allows for any number input, with or without decimals, with no limit to the number of digits that come before or after the decimal point.
• Sortable: This is a legacy setting that is no longer needed.

Additionally, number entries can restrict the size of the number value. This size limit will dictate the number of digits a number can have for a particular attribute.

Advanced settings

metadata.keepListAlphabetical

metadata.history.enabled

metadata.history.index.frequency