Extending the asset meaning by applying custom attributes to asset types

A custom attribute is a property that you define to extend the meaning of assets when the standard attributes of an asset are insufficient. You can create, edit, and delete custom attributes. You apply custom attributes to selected asset types.

Before you begin

You must have the Information Governance Catalog Glossary Administrator or the Information Governance Catalog Information Asset Administrator role.

About this task

When you delete a custom attribute, you also delete all values that are defined for this custom attribute for any asset where the custom attribute is applied.

You can edit the name, description, and the predefined values. You can change the reverse relationship name. You can remove or select addition asset types to apply the custom attribute to.

You can change the values of a custom attribute that are assigned to specific types of information assets by using a CSV file. If you use a CSV file that you created, use the correct CSV file format.

Procedure

  1. To create, edit, or delete custom attributes, do the following steps:
    1. Click Administration.
    2. Expand Catalog Management.
    3. Click Custom Attributes. Do any of the following steps:
      Task Steps
      To create custom attributes Select New from the menu, and then follow the prompts in the wizard.
      To edit the properties of a custom attribute Select the custom attribute, and then select Edit from the menu.
      To delete custom attributes from the catalog Select the custom attributes for deletion, and then select Delete from the menu.
  2. To create, edit, or delete restrictions on custom attributes, do the following steps:
    Task Steps
    To create a restriction Complete the following steps:
    1. In the custom attribute definition window, select an asset type to which the custom attribute applies.
    2. Click Restrict.
    3. In the restriction window, click the down arrow button to add a condition or subcondition.
    4. In the Available Properties list, double click a property.
    5. Specify values for the condition or subcondition.
    6. Add more conditions and subconditions by repeating steps c to e.
    7. Click Save.
    To edit a restriction Complete the same steps as for creating a restriction.
    To delete a restriction Complete the following steps:
    1. In the custom attribute definition window, find the asset type for which you want to remove restrictions.
    2. Click Restrict.
    3. Click Clear.
    4. Click Save.
    The restrictions are removed when you save the changes in the custom attribute definition window.
  3. To export or import custom attributes of information assets, export or import the information assets.
  4. To export or import custom attributes of glossary assets, export or import the glossary assets.
  5. To apply a custom attribute to an asset, do these steps:
    1. Click Catalog, and then click Information Assets or Glossary.
    2. In the Select an asset type field, type in the asset type or collection that you want to apply custom attribute values to.
    3. Click the icon of the asset type.
    4. In the Browse window, select the assets to apply a custom attribute to, and then select Edit from the menu.
    5. Expand General Information.
    6. In the field of the custom attribute that you want to apply to the asset, type in or select the value of the custom attribute.
    7. Click Save.
  6. To query or search for custom attributes, do either of the following actions:
    Task Steps
    To query for custom attributes In the Queries tab, you can query an asset type to display its custom attributes. You can then define criteria to display assets whose custom attributes have specific values.
    To search for custom attributes In the Search tab, you can search for custom attributes of type text or number in the Properties list. You can search for custom attributes of type date or predefined in the Show All Conditions link at the bottom of the Search page.