View the catalog entries assigned an attribute dictionary attribute

We can use the References tab for an attribute to view the list of catalog entries assigned the attribute. The list of assignments for an attribute in the References tab also identifies whether the attribute is assigned as a defining or descriptive attribute for each catalog entry.

(Enterprise) If we are working in an extended site store, the Catalog entries table that lists the attribute assignments, identifies whether each catalog entry is inherited from our asset store.

Task info

By viewing the assignments to catalog entries for an attribute, we can determine whether catalog entries are affected when you change or use the attribute. For example, the following scenarios demonstrate how changing or using an attribute can affect catalog entries assigned the attribute. Depending on the number of affected catalog entries, we might need to create and use a new attribute instead of changing or using an existing attribute.

• As a Product Manager, we want to change the name of a predefined value for an attribute color from Crimson to Red. If other catalog entries are assigned the same attribute and value and are assigned values that are different shades of red, this renaming can negatively affect those catalog entries. Since these catalog entries include multiple shades of red as attribute values, including the value Red can be confusing to shoppers who are viewing the catalog entries on the storefront. If the number of affected catalog entries is large, we can create the attribute value Red instead of renaming the existing value Crimson. If only a few catalog entries are affected, we can rename the value and replace the renamed value for the affected catalog entries with a new value called Crimson.

• As a Marketing Manager, to create a promotion that offers 50% off all catalog entries assigned the attribute clearance. We can access the attribute dictionary to view the catalog entries assigned this attribute. By viewing these assignments, we can ensure that only the appropriate catalog entries are assigned the attribute and are offered at 50% off.

• As Product Manager, we want to assign an attribute on sale to all catalog entries in a holiday category for use a facet. By viewing the assignments for the attribute, we can determine whether other catalog entries assigned the attribute can return when a shopper selects this facet. If the catalog entries that return are not appropriate to display alongside the catalog entries in your holiday catalog, we can choose to create another on sale attribute for use as a facet for our holiday category. We can also choose to remove the on sale attribute from the catalog entries that you do not want to display when a shopper selects the facet.

When we are viewing the References tab for an attribute, we can also delete assignments for an attribute when the following conditions are true:

• The attribute is a descriptive attribute for the catalog entry.

• The catalog entry is not locked in a workspace by another user.

• (Enterprise) The attribute and catalog entry both belong to the store that we are working within. If we are working in an extended site store and the attribute and catalog entry are inherited from our asset store, we cannot delete the assignment. If either the attribute or the catalog entry belongs to our extended site store, we can delete the assignment within the References tab for the attribute.

When you delete an attribute assignment in the Catalog entries table, the attribute and all of its values are deleted for that catalog entry. To delete specific values for the attribute assignment, edit the attribute assignment within the catalog entry properties view. For more information about deleting attribute assignments for a catalog entry, see Deleting attributes from catalog entries.

Procedure

1. Open the Catalogs tool.

2. Find the attribute that includes the attribute assignment to view.

3. Right-click the attribute. Click Open to open the properties view for the attribute.

4. Click the References tab to view the reference information for the attribute. The Catalog entries table lists the catalog entries assigned the attribute. The table also includes the following information about the assignment relationship between the attribute and catalog entry:

   • The catalog entry unique ID, type, code, and name.

     (Enterprise) If the store is an extended site store, the type icon also indicates whether the catalog entry is inherited.

   • The name and owner ID of the store that owns the catalog entry.

   • The usage of the attribute in the attribute assignment relationship. An attribute can be assigned as a descriptive or defining attribute for a catalog entry.

   • The attribute value for the attribute in the attribute assignment relationship. If the attribute includes multiple values for a catalog entry, the values display in a comma-separated list.

   The References tab also includes the Attribute folders table, which lists the folders that the attribute is included within.