General
Attributes are used to assign detailed information to products, enhancing the data quality and enable filtering based on specific criteria. They also form the basis for managing translations.
An Attribute Group consists of attribute values. System Attribute Groups are created automatically. Master attributes are the top entity of the data structure.
SCAYLE provides System Attribute Groups, created automatically - their IDs are reserved and you cannot modify them. System Attribute Groups describe the product structure - see the full list below.
| Key | Description |
|---|---|
| brand | Product Brand |
| category | Master Categorie from the Product as Attribute |
| new | Depending on the configuration, the product will have the 'new' flag set to true or false. |
| product_name | Product Name |
| maximumQuantityPerOrder | Maximum number of this product a customer can purchase per order. |
| commissionCode | For Marketplaces |
| isExcludedFromSearch | Product is not searchable. (Hidden from Storefront API Search Response) |
Attributes described on this page are distinct from attributes created by merchants ("merchant attributes").
Master attributes are product characteristics (e.g., "brown", "wood", or "set"). They can also add additional information, such as care instructions. A product can have numerous attributes divided into attribute groups (e.g., an attribute group "color" and its attribute values "blue", "brown", "red", etc.).
Mandatory Attribute Groups
If an attribute group in a master category is configured as mandatory, it must be filled out to achieve the "live" status for a product. Mandatory Attributes are identifiable on the product detail page by an orange arrow and a * next to the attribute group. If the attribute is missing, the product is automatically assigned the enhancement status "Problem".
If an assigned attribute group is defined as a mandatory field users will have to fill in this field when entering product data.
The option Default Attributes allows to to specify attribute suggestions for groups so that you do not have to define all categories individually. Attribute groups with their default values are automatically inherited by subordinate categories so that you do not have to define all categories separately.
In SCAYLE, you create an Attribute Group consisting of attribute values. You can create either:
| Attribute Group | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Assigns a brand to a product (e.g., ABOUT YOU). |
| Size | Assigns a size to a product (e.g., medium). |
| Color | Assigns a color to a product (e.g., blue). |
You cannot update the type of the attribute group once you've created it.
| Type | Input Behavior on the Product Details Page |
|---|---|
| Text | Simple input field. |
| Long Text | Advanced input field with editor component. |
| Numeric | Only allows numbers. |
| Date | Date selection. |
| Attribute | Predefined attribute that cannot be changed. |
| Attribute Group | User can select an attribute from defined attribute group. |
For simple Attribute Groups, you can add a simple attribute (value) from a list of predefined values.
Simple attribute groups contain clearly defined individual values that are assigned to a product during the refinement process. The table below gives an example of simple attributes.
| Simple Attribute Group | Attribute value |
|---|---|
| Size | small, medium, large |
| Pattern | unicolor, striped, dotted |
For Advanced Attribute Groups, you add an advanced attribute (value) as a Build Component.
Advanced attribute groups can be made up of several components or fields that can be combined. In this way, you can create an individual attribute structure. There are basic advanced attribute groups, each with only one field component, and complex attribute groups with several field components. An example of an advanced attributes is material composition.
| Attribute Group (advanced) | Example |
|---|---|
| Basic Advanced Attribute Group | material: 70% cotton, 30% polyester |
| Complex Attribute Group | inner material: 100% polyester, upper material: 70% cotton, 30% polyester |
Advanced Attribute Group, text component selected
Complex Attribute Groups are a type of Advanced Attribute Groups used to handle cases such as combination of different materials.
Values for complex attribute groups are set on the Product Description Page in the SCAYLE Panel after attaching the attribute group to master categories.
Attributes and attribute groups are usually created for all shops. So if you make changes, it will affect all your shops.
Settings > Product Structure > Attributes.Now, you can add simple or advanced attribute values.
When you create new attribute groups, they are automatically displayed on the attribute overview page under Settings > Product structure > Attributes. Use this page to search, edit, or delete attributes.
Assigning attributes results in the following:
Attribute Group - Settings
Depending on your system configuration and selection, a few options may be disabled. Some options cannot be changed afterward.
Use the checkboxes to enable options for attribute groups. The options are summarized in the table below.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Hide on Storefront API | The Attribute Group will not be exposed through SAPI and will therefore not be visible in the Shop Storefront and will not be considered for the Search |
| Relevant for Blocklist | User input is checked against the blocklist. |
| Relevant for Mapping | Attribute is displayed as an option for attribute mapping. |
| Multiple Values Can Be Selected | Product can be assigned more than one value of the same attribute group (e.g., yellow and blue.) |
| Visible for Enhancement Process | Attribute group is visible on the product details page. Hidden attribute groups are not displayed on product details pages, but are still stored in the database. This setting can be useful if attribute groups perform certain tasks within the system but are not relevant for front end output. |
| Editable on Enhancement Process | Attribute group can be edited on the product details page. |
| Defining for Product Level | Attribute group is visible on the product details page in the variant area or is only displayed when the user opens a drop-down menu. This function can only be selected if an attribute group is created at the variant level and has no visual impact on a shop's front end. |
| Show on Preview of the Product Page | Attribute group is displayed during the refinement process in the header of the product details page and the overview box on the right side. |
| Show on Additional Filters | Attribute group can be used as a filter option. |
| Not Translatable | Prevents attribute groups or values from being translated. These attribute groups, in turn, are excluded from the translation module. |
| Show in the Product List | Attribute group is displayed as a column in the product list. |
Use mapping functions to assign certain information to an attribute group. You can map the individual attributes of the attribute group "color" to the attribute group "search color".
This way, you specify that end customers searching for "blue" products will not only see products with the color "blue", but also products with the colors "light blue" or "turquoise".\
| Attribute group level | Can be mapped to |
|---|---|
| Variant | Variant |
| Product | Style, product, and variant |
| Style | Style and product |
| Category | Category |
| Image | Image |
| Brand | Brand |
Please note that creating mappings for shop-specific attributes is not possible.
The attribute group must be activated to be available for mapping.
Settings > Product structure > Attributes > Attribute Group..png)
Edit Attribute Group Mapping
Once you've created an attribute group, add attribute values.
Add a simple attribute value from a list of predefined values.
Settings > Product Structure > Attributes > Attribute Group*.Once attribute values are added, you can proceed to Mappings.
Adding attribute values to a Simple Attribute Group
You have the option to define dedicated shop countries for which values of Attribute Groups can be overridden in the attribute group settings. This setting results in the following:
You can edit these attribute groups for shop products (shop-specific value) and operations products (generic value). Attribute groups that cannot be overridden are visible on the shop product details page, but cannot be edited.
After configuring an attribute group to be overridden in specific shop countries, it cannot be used for configuring assortments, shop categories, or search settings.
The table below has "color" as an attribute group with individual colors as attributes (values).
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Attribute Group | color |
| Attributes values | green, blue, red, yellow |
In the image below, attribute groups include "type", "color", "size", "fabric", etc. Attribute values are "sneaker", "grey", "40", "cotton", etc.
Attributes assigned to products.
The option Disabled Attributes prevents attributes from being selected for this category on the product detail page. For example, if a merchant always uploads its products to the system with colored background images, it is possible to exclude such a "color" attribute for the "background-image" attribute group. The deactivated attribute would then have to be assigned to another, used attribute.
Adding an Attribute Group to a Category
Depending on a user's selected language, attributes and attribute groups are translated into the respective language for drop-down menus of all product lists and product details pages as well as assortments, categories, and synonyms in the shop area. If a translation is missing, a notification appears.
Check the Translation section for more details.
Finetune your product data in the SCAYLE panel
Luisa Pscherer
Solution Consultant
Product Data Management
Finetune your product data in the SCAYLE Panel
