Set up options and classifications

An option is a choice category, such as Material or Packaging, and its values are the choices, such as Jade and Granite. Each variant has one value of every option. Tags organize whole items for stock reports. Tags can also organize other tags, without configuration.

Add options to an item

1. Open the item from Catalog and select Edit options, or start a new item with New item.
2. Under Options, select Add option.
3. Enter the option’s key, such as material, and its label, such as Material.
4. Select Add value for each choice, and enter its key, such as jade, and its label, such as Jade.
5. For every variant, choose a value in each option’s field.
6. Select Save item, or Create item for a new item.

Every variant needs one value of every option, and no two variants of an item can have the same combination. For example, Stone coaster with Material (Jade, Granite) and Packaging (Single, Six-pack) can have up to four variants.

Add a value from a variant

1. In a variant’s option field, type the new value’s name, such as Slate.
2. When no value matches, the list offers Create “Slate”. Choose it.
3. Edit option opens with the new value added to that option. Check its key and label, then select Use value.
4. Select Save item to keep the change.

The new value is saved with the item, not before. Cancel leaves the item’s options as they were.

Remove an option or value

In the item editor, select Remove beside the option or value, then choose a value again anywhere a variant needs one. Biosphere won’t save the item until every variant has one value of every remaining option.

Group stock by classification

Classifications appear in Group stock by on the stock summary:

1. Open Inventory, then select Summary.
2. In Group stock by, choose Tags.

Items without a term in that classification are grouped as Unclassified. See Read the stock summary.

Set tags manually or with an import

Open an item and use Add tag to choose a label or create one with Enter. Each choice applies immediately. Use Configure → Tags to organize labels.

Catalog mappings use tags for a list or comma-separated names and project for an explicit project reference. Tag names are shared across the business. New labels wait for review; tags can organize other tags without configuration.

See Group records with tags.

What to know

• An item can have up to 12 options, and each option up to 100 values.
• Keys use lowercase letters, numbers and underscores, start with a letter, and can be up to 80 characters. Labels can be up to 120 characters.
• A record can have up to 50 ordinary tags. Project is a separate relationship.
• Options belong to one item. Two items can be merged only when they have the same options with the same labels.