Manage attributes

You can create and update attributes to provide more information about XML elements you use in your content. Specifically, attributes define properties of elements. An XML element can have multiple attributes, and attributes are always a name-value pair.

Attribute FAQ's

Why not just create a new element?
Attributes are used to distinguish among elements of the same name, when you don't want to create a new element for every situation. The use of an attribute can add a little more detail in differentiating two or more similar elements.

What's an example of when to use custom attributes?
For example, you are a nursery that sells garden plants. You can categorize the plants by including an attribute category and assigning different values. You could have two categories of plants, one flowers and other shrubs.



How are these attributes different from a profiling attribute?
An attribute doesn't have to be used to identify conditional text, it can just be used to differentiate between elements.
If you do want to use an attribute to profile content, when you create or update an attribute you can select the Profiled option.
  • If you select the Profiled option, the attributes are listed on the Profiling Attributes screen for you to select and apply to text.
  • For more help on profiling attributes, read Use profiling attributes.

How do attributes help define relationships?
Relationship configurations incorporate XML link types, attributes, and elements.

You use relationships to help manage files and their connections because Inspire saves the following information about relationships between components:

  • Components that include a reference to another component
  • Attribute properties assigned to a component
  • Snapshots of historical changes to a component
For more help, read Define relationship links.

Where can users select the attribute after I add it?
Users can select this attribute in the Oxygen editor in the Attributes pane on the right side.

If you select the Profiled option for the attribute, then users can select the attribute from the lists on the profiling attributes screens.

Administrators can see the new attribute on the Attribute Management tab in the list of attributes.

Administrators can select the attribute from the lists on the XML Link Type Configuration screens.