Schema

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The tasks below can only be performed by users assigned to the Admin or Budget Process Owner roles. For additional information on roles, see Frontdoor permissions and roles.

You can add custom attributes to line-item tables and both built-in and custom dimensions. See Edit and publish Reference Data tables and Manage custom reference data (dimensions, lists, and line-item tables). Custom attributes contain supplemental information about dimensions that enhance your analysis and reporting capabilities. When a dimension is viewed as a table, the additional custom attributes appear as additional columns in the table.

Some built-in dimensions include additional details (for example, Name and Parent Code for the Account dimension). Others just require the unique identifier. You can add up to 30 attributes (one per column) to built-in or custom dimensions.

Example

You create a custom dimension named Projects. When you group or sort filter plan details by Project, it may be useful to have access to closely related details (or attributes) about your projects.

Project Program WBS Code Status
Value A Value A1 Value A2 Value An
Value B Value B1 Value B2 Value Bn

Custom attributes are maintained as reference data that reside in the same reference data tables as your built-in and custom dimensions. You can edit a dimension's reference data schema by editing that dimension’s columns.

Create a new reference data table column (Add custom attribute)

  1. Navigate to Planning > Configuration > Schema.
  2. In the top menu, select the group which contains the dimension or line item which needs a new reference data table column.
  3. Click the specific line item or the dimension.

    The Available Attributes dialog opens.

  4. Click the Add button to add a new custom attribute.

    The Add Custom Attribute dialog opens.

  5. Enter a Field Name for the custom attribute.
  6. In the Data Type cell, select from one of the following data types:
    Data Type Description Example
    String Text strings up to 255 characters Name
    Date Date and time values 1/1/2020
    Integer A whole number 5
    Number Numeric value with fixed precision 1,000,500.325
    Percentage Rate or proportion of a whole value (not a percentage) .50
    Memo Unstructured alphanumeric content (up to 600 characters) Memo1
    List Set of named values or enumerations defined in a custom list (see Manage Custom reference data (dimensions, lists, and line-item tables)) No, Maybe, Yes, Red, Yellow, Green
    User Enhanced Access Administration user name (user must have access to current environment) someone@somewhere.com
    Boolean Logical value: true or false Checkbox, where checked = true or cleared = false
    Lookup Refer a custom dimension related to the data (applicable only for line items) Custom dimension name
  7. Add a Default Data Value for the attribute (optional). If the selected data type is a List, select the Custom List applicable, and then enter a default value. If the selected data type is Lookup, select the Reference Dimension applicable.
  8. Select the Mandatory for Data Entry checkbox if you wish to make the custom attribute mandatory for the user when entering data.
  9. Select the Sensitive Data checkbox if you require the line item to be classified as sensitive data (applicable only for Labor line items)
    Note: You can select either Sensitive Data or Mandatory for Data Entry checkbox when creating a custom line item column. For more information on sensitive data, see FAQ: Hide Sensitive Labor Data.
  10. Click Add.

For instruction on exporting, populating, and then importing templates, see Enter or import line item data. If you intend to export a template to use to populate your dimensions, ensure you match data format options.

Edit a reference data table column

You can rename a reference data table column by editing the column.

  1. Navigate to Planning > Configuration > Schema
  2. In the top menu, select the group which contains the dimension or the line item with the reference data table column to be updated
  3. Click the specific line item or the dimension.

    The Available Attributes dialog opens.

  4. Click the attribute name that needs to be updated. Alternatively, right-click and select Edit.

  5. Select the Restricted Access checkbox if you wish to authorize specific users to modify the dimension. This option is available only for Admins or users with the new EditRestrictedDimensions permission.
  6. Note that only the names of custom attributes can be edited. You may be able to set/change the default data values for certain system/custom attributes.
  7. Change the name of the attribute.
  8. Click Save.

Delete a reference data table column

You can delete only the custom attributes for dimensions or line items.

  1. Navigate to Planning > Configuration > Schema
  2. In the top menu, select the group which contains the dimension or the line item with the reference data table column to be updated
  3. Click the specific line item or the dimension.

    The Available Attributes dialog opens.

  4. Right-click the custom attribute you wish to delete and select Delete.
  5. Click Delete when the second prompt to confirm the deletion is displayed.

Manage line-item tables

You can alter the schema of line item tables. You can, for example, create a picklist for an attribute you want to track per dimension, and then add that list to a line item table. Customizing line item tables can help speed up and standardize data entry by Cost Object Owners when they work in line item tables.