Management Center: Changing attributes in the attribute dictionary

Change attributes in the attribute dictionary

When you change an attribute, the attribute is updated for all catalog entries that it is assigned to. When you change defining attributes, any updates to the properties or predefined values are automatically reflected within all catalog entries that use the attribute.

Procedure

List the attributes contained within the attribute dictionary.
In the list view, right-click the attribute to change; then click Open to open the properties view for the selected attribute.
In the General Attribute Information section, change any of the following information:

Property Description
Code The unique identifier for the attribute.
Name The language-specific name of the attribute.
Description A language-specific short description for the attribute.
Secondary Description A language-specific additional description for the attribute.
Displayable Select this check box to specify that the attribute is displayable; clear the check box to specify that the attribute is not displayable. There is no underlying logic is associated with this field; use this field as a custom check box to meet your attribute needs.
Comparable Select this check box to specify that the attribute is comparable; clear the check box to specify that the attribute is not comparable. There is no underlying logic associated with this field; use this field as a custom check box to meet your attribute needs.
Use in merchandising Select this check box to specify that this attribute can be used as a merchandising attribute in the creation of search conditions for use by any of the following objects:

Marketing activities for finding catalog entries to recommend to customers in e-Marketing Spots.
Merchandising attributes can also be used in search conditions within a marketing activity to identify a current page target.
Search rules for finding catalog entries.
Sales and rule-based categories for finding catalog entries to assign to the categories.
Only attributes with predefined values can be used as merchandising attributes. An attribute that is identified as for 'Use in merchandising' is intended for internal business use to create these rules and activities. By default, these merchandising attributes do not affect customer searches. If you set a merchandising attribute to be displayable, searchable, or for use in faceted navigation, then the attribute can appear on the storefront.
Use in faceted navigation Select this check box to specify that the attribute can be used for displaying facets in the storefront left sidebar to filter product listings. Facets are created in the storefront left sidebar, enabling usable filters to target meaningful product results. The storefront displays a count for each facet value. This count indicates the number of products that share that facet value.
When an attribute is specified as being used in faceted navigation, it is also specified as searchable in the storefront. Links are created for the attribute throughout the WebSphere Commerce database and search index. To remove the links, clear the check box.
Selecting this check box makes the attribute usable in the Search Criteria and Result target in marketing activities and search rules.
Searchable in storefront Select this check box to specify that customers can search for this attribute on the storefront. We cannot unmark an attribute as searchable.
When an attribute is specified as searchable, links are created for it throughout the WebSphere Commerce database and search index. To reset the attribute, clear the Searchable in storefront check box, as well as the Use in faceted navigation check box.
Note A language-specific field to stores auxiliary data about an attribute, such as a footnote.
Unit of Measure A language-specific field to specify the unit of measure used for the attribute.
Associated Keyword The keyword of the attribute group that this attribute is associated with. For subscription attributes, this field denotes the attribute as a subscription attribute.

Specify the Facetable properties information for the attribute. These properties display when we select the Use in faceted navigation option in the General Attribute Information section.

Property Description
Show facet in search results Select this check box to show the facets on the search results page.
Otherwise, the facets are only used in search-based navigation when browsing the store catalog.
Default is a selected check box, showing the facets on the search results page.
Allow multiple facet value selection Select this check box to allow customers to select multiple facet values in the storefront.
Multiple facet values are selected in the storefront as check boxes, while single facet values are selected as text links. When multiple facet values are selected, the results include products that contain facet values from either selections, not just those products that share both facet values.
Default is a cleared check box, not allowing customers to select multiple facet values in the storefront.
Show empty facet values Select this check box to show facet values in the storefront, even if the facet value does not apply to any products. That is, the facet value has a count of zero.
Default is a cleared check box, not showing empty facet values in the storefront.
Maximum facet values to display Indicates the maximum number of facet values that are displayed in the storefront.
The default value is no maximum. That is, all facet values are displayed.
Facet value ordering Indicates the facet values ordering in the storefront. The possible values are:
Count (highest to lowest)

The ordering of the facet values is listed with the highest number of results placed first.

Alphanumeric

The ordering of the facet values is alphanumeric, in ascending order from numbers to letters.

Use attribute value sequence

The ordering of the facet values is the same as they appear in the attribute value grid list.

Note: If selected, we must set the Maximum values to display value to either:

No maximum. That is, all facet values are displayed in the storefront, or
A maximum that is high enough so that all facet values are shown in the storefront.
That is, sorting by attribute value sequence cannot be combined with displaying a subset of facet values.

Default is to sort by Count (highest to lowest).

In the Custom Fields section, change any of the following information:

Property Description
Description field 1 An additional language-specific description for the attribute.
Field 1 (Integer) A custom field for attribute information. The value for this field must be an integer.
Field 2 (Integer) A custom field for attribute information. The value for this field must be an integer.
Field 3 (Text) A custom field for attribute information. The value for this field must be text.

Optional: In the Attribute Values Information section, we can change a predefined attribute by adding, deleting, or changing values.

Property Description
Add a predefined value Click
to create a new predefined value in the Attribute Values Information table.
Delete a predefined value Right-click the predefined value to delete; then, click Delete to delete the value from the Attribute Values Information table.
Changing a predefined value Select the predefined value to update; then, click an editable cell within the table to change the current information on the spot.
We can change information that is contained within the following cells in the Attribute Values Information table:

Property Description
Sequence The order in which attribute values display. Numbers are displayed in ascending order.
Value The language-specific name of the attribute value. The value is based on the data type of the attribute, such as text, whole number, or decimal number.
Default Value Indicates whether the value is automatically selected when the attribute is assigned as a descriptive attribute.
(Enterprise) For extended site stores, we can specify a default value only if the value belongs to the same store as the attribute. If the attribute is inherited, we cannot edit the Default Value check box for new attribute values.
Value Field 1 A customized field for attribute information. The value for this field must be an integer.
Value Field 2 A customized field for attribute information. The value for this field must be an integer.
Value Field 3 A customized field for attribute information. The value for this field must be text.
Image path 1 If applicable, the language-specific full file path of the image. For example, images/G1.jpg.
Use this field to specify the path to a swatch image file for this attribute value. The image is used on the storefront to represent the attribute value.
Image path 2 The language-specific full file path of the image. For example, images/G1.jpg.
Unit of Measure Specifies the unit of measure for the attribute value. This field is language-specific.
Value description field 1 A language-specific and customizable field for attribute value data.
Value description field 2 A language-specific and customizable field for attribute value data.
Value description field 3 A language-specific and customizable field for attribute value data.

Note: To display a field that is hidden by default, right-click any column heading in the list view; then, click Configure Columns.
Click Save or Save and Close. The changes that are made to the selected attribute are reflected in all catalog entries that the attribute is assigned to.

Related tasks
Adding attributes to the attribute dictionary
Listing attributes in the attribute dictionary

Property	Description
Code	The unique identifier for the attribute.
Name	The language-specific name of the attribute.
Description	A language-specific short description for the attribute.
Secondary Description	A language-specific additional description for the attribute.
Displayable	Select this check box to specify that the attribute is displayable; clear the check box to specify that the attribute is not displayable. There is no underlying logic is associated with this field; use this field as a custom check box to meet your attribute needs.
Comparable	Select this check box to specify that the attribute is comparable; clear the check box to specify that the attribute is not comparable. There is no underlying logic associated with this field; use this field as a custom check box to meet your attribute needs.
Use in merchandising	Select this check box to specify that this attribute can be used as a merchandising attribute in the creation of search conditions for use by any of the following objects: Marketing activities for finding catalog entries to recommend to customers in e-Marketing Spots. Merchandising attributes can also be used in search conditions within a marketing activity to identify a current page target. Search rules for finding catalog entries. Sales and rule-based categories for finding catalog entries to assign to the categories. Only attributes with predefined values can be used as merchandising attributes. An attribute that is identified as for 'Use in merchandising' is intended for internal business use to create these rules and activities. By default, these merchandising attributes do not affect customer searches. If you set a merchandising attribute to be displayable, searchable, or for use in faceted navigation, then the attribute can appear on the storefront.
Use in faceted navigation	Select this check box to specify that the attribute can be used for displaying facets in the storefront left sidebar to filter product listings. Facets are created in the storefront left sidebar, enabling usable filters to target meaningful product results. The storefront displays a count for each facet value. This count indicates the number of products that share that facet value. When an attribute is specified as being used in faceted navigation, it is also specified as searchable in the storefront. Links are created for the attribute throughout the WebSphere Commerce database and search index. To remove the links, clear the check box. Selecting this check box makes the attribute usable in the Search Criteria and Result target in marketing activities and search rules.
Searchable in storefront	Select this check box to specify that customers can search for this attribute on the storefront. We cannot unmark an attribute as searchable. When an attribute is specified as searchable, links are created for it throughout the WebSphere Commerce database and search index. To reset the attribute, clear the Searchable in storefront check box, as well as the Use in faceted navigation check box.
Note	A language-specific field to stores auxiliary data about an attribute, such as a footnote.
Unit of Measure	A language-specific field to specify the unit of measure used for the attribute.
Associated Keyword	The keyword of the attribute group that this attribute is associated with. For subscription attributes, this field denotes the attribute as a subscription attribute.

Property	Description
Show facet in search results	Select this check box to show the facets on the search results page. Otherwise, the facets are only used in search-based navigation when browsing the store catalog. Default is a selected check box, showing the facets on the search results page.
Allow multiple facet value selection	Select this check box to allow customers to select multiple facet values in the storefront. Multiple facet values are selected in the storefront as check boxes, while single facet values are selected as text links. When multiple facet values are selected, the results include products that contain facet values from either selections, not just those products that share both facet values. Default is a cleared check box, not allowing customers to select multiple facet values in the storefront.
Show empty facet values	Select this check box to show facet values in the storefront, even if the facet value does not apply to any products. That is, the facet value has a count of zero. Default is a cleared check box, not showing empty facet values in the storefront.
Maximum facet values to display	Indicates the maximum number of facet values that are displayed in the storefront. The default value is no maximum. That is, all facet values are displayed.
Facet value ordering	Indicates the facet values ordering in the storefront. The possible values are: Count (highest to lowest) The ordering of the facet values is listed with the highest number of results placed first. Alphanumeric The ordering of the facet values is alphanumeric, in ascending order from numbers to letters. Use attribute value sequence The ordering of the facet values is the same as they appear in the attribute value grid list. Note: If selected, we must set the Maximum values to display value to either: No maximum. That is, all facet values are displayed in the storefront, or A maximum that is high enough so that all facet values are shown in the storefront. That is, sorting by attribute value sequence cannot be combined with displaying a subset of facet values. Default is to sort by Count (highest to lowest).

Property	Description
Description field 1	An additional language-specific description for the attribute.
Field 1 (Integer)	A custom field for attribute information. The value for this field must be an integer.
Field 2 (Integer)	A custom field for attribute information. The value for this field must be an integer.
Field 3 (Text)	A custom field for attribute information. The value for this field must be text.

Property	Description
Add a predefined value	Click to create a new predefined value in the Attribute Values Information table.
Delete a predefined value	Right-click the predefined value to delete; then, click Delete to delete the value from the Attribute Values Information table.
Changing a predefined value	Select the predefined value to update; then, click an editable cell within the table to change the current information on the spot.

Property	Description
Sequence	The order in which attribute values display. Numbers are displayed in ascending order.
Value	The language-specific name of the attribute value. The value is based on the data type of the attribute, such as text, whole number, or decimal number.
Default Value	Indicates whether the value is automatically selected when the attribute is assigned as a descriptive attribute. (Enterprise) For extended site stores, we can specify a default value only if the value belongs to the same store as the attribute. If the attribute is inherited, we cannot edit the Default Value check box for new attribute values.
Value Field 1	A customized field for attribute information. The value for this field must be an integer.
Value Field 2	A customized field for attribute information. The value for this field must be an integer.
Value Field 3	A customized field for attribute information. The value for this field must be text.
Image path 1	If applicable, the language-specific full file path of the image. For example, images/G1.jpg. Use this field to specify the path to a swatch image file for this attribute value. The image is used on the storefront to represent the attribute value.
Image path 2	The language-specific full file path of the image. For example, images/G1.jpg.
Unit of Measure	Specifies the unit of measure for the attribute value. This field is language-specific.
Value description field 1	A language-specific and customizable field for attribute value data.
Value description field 2	A language-specific and customizable field for attribute value data.
Value description field 3	A language-specific and customizable field for attribute value data.