System attributes

The use of attributes in Across is of special importance, since all translation units are stored in a single database. This also applies to terminology: All terminology entries are also stored in a single central database.

Therefore, Across stores attributes along with the language data. Attributes contain additional information that can be stored together with every translation unit or with every terminology entry in the database.

By default, Across uses the system attributes Project, Relation, and Subject. Moreover, additional user-defined system attributes can be created.

Both the standard system attributes and the user-defined attributes can be added to every translation unit in crossTank. In this way, the respective translation unit can be designated as belonging to a certain subject or as created within the scope of a particular project. Moreover, when using search filters, the attributes enable the search for specific translation units, e.g. translation units with a particular subject.

Multiple Selection of System Attribute Values

In certain cases, it may be necessary to select not only one attribute value (e.g. a certain subject), but two or more attribute values for a project. This multiple selection of attribute values is possible without any difficulties. Simply select several values instead of a single value. For example, when creating a project, you can assign it not only to one subject or one relation, but to several subjects and several relations.

The possibility of assigning multiple attribute values may be undesirable in certain cases, e.g. if crossTank entries of different customers or divisions are not to be mixed. For such cases, it is possible to disable the selection of multiple attribute values. For example, the selection of multiple relations can be disabled as shown in the above example.

By default, selection of multiple attribute values is possible. To disable the selection of multiple attribute values, click the desired system attribute under Tools > System Settings > General > System Attributes and click Edit and disable the corresponding option.

Multiple selection of attribute values is possible wherever system attributes can be used. For example, apart from the project creation, this applies to the creation of terminology in crossTerm or when saving translation units in crossTank.

Standard System Attributes

By default, the system attributes Project, Relation, and Subject are available in Across.

Attribute	Description
Projects	The system attribute Project is determined during the setup of projects. All projects set up in Across can be selected as attribute values of the Project attribute.
Relations	The Relations module is a separate section for creating and managing relations. You can access the module via (Administration >) Relations in the module bar on the left-hand side. In the module, you can add new relations and manage existing relations.
Subjects	Subjects can be created and managed in the "Subjects" section of the system settings. You can access this section via Tools > System settings > General > Subjects. Here you can add new subjects and manage already created subjects.

User-Defined System Attributes

Apart from standard system attributes, additional user-defined system attributes can also be created, e.g. for document types, product models, or brands.

User-defined system attributes can be created and managed in the System attributes section of the system settings. You can access this section via Tools > System Settings > General > System Attributes.

New system attributes can be created in this section. Subsequently, they can be set to the required values.

Individual or multiple attribute values can be defined while creating attribute values or by means of the drop-down list in the Default attribute value column. When using such a system attribute – e.g. when setting up a new project – these default values are preset. Other attribute values can be selected by means of the drop-down list.