Sequences: Identifier

Collection Explorer ◢ General group ◢ Sequences: Identifier collection

Purpose §

Defines the format and next number for new documents, parts and changes.

Where used §

Documents, parts, changes

Data fields §

General §

Name §

This is the complete name for the identifier sequence.

Description §

This gives the identifier sequence and how it should be used.

Prefix §

This is an unchanging set of characters that is copied to the beginning of every Next assignment value.

Example: If you've specified DWG- as the sequence's prefix characters and the Next assignment value contains 100123, then the value given to a new item is DWG-100123. The item following is assigned DWG-100124.

Next assignment §

The Next assignment value is given to a new item's number attribute, and the value is then incremented. You specify both the sequence's format and the actual next-assigned value. The format is determined by the location and type of character (letter, number or symbol) that you enter. If you enter a numeric digit at a specified location, then all subsequent values will only use a numeric digit at that location. Likewise, a letter at a particular location ensures that only letters are used when the identifier is incremented. Non-alphanumeric characters (symbols like / or -) are skipped when the value is incremented.

Example: If you've specified 123AZ-99 as the Next assignment value, then the value is incremented to 123BA-00.

Use only numeric characters (0…9) in your sequences. Avoid using a sequence longer than 8 characters.

Suffix §

This is an unchanging set of characters that is added to the end of every Next assignment value.

Example: If you've specified -000 as the sequence's suffix characters and the Next assignment value contains 100123, then the value assigned to a new item is 100123-000. The item following is assigned 100124-000.

Skip characters §

You can also specify which characters are not considered when a Next assignment value is incremented. Since these characters are only examined when the sequence increments, you can (for instance) use a skip character as the initial value for an identifier and it will never be used in a subsequent assignment.

Enter the exact characters to be skipped, without a space, quote or other delimiter: IOSQXZ.

Example: If the letters IOSZ are invalid, then the Next assignment value of CH9Y9 is incremented to CJ0A0.

If your company mixes letters and numbers in the same sequence (not a best practice), then the letters BIOQSZ are good candidates to be skipped since, in some typefaces or handwritten notes, they are difficult to distinguish from numbers.

Active: users can select
Default member of collection
Permanent member of collection §

See the Managing collections: Common attributes help topic.

Where Used list §

This list enumerates all of the item types that are using the identifier sequence.

Setup §

Designing a part or document number scheme can be simple or highly complex. For our recommendations, search the web for PDXpert item number best practice.

Item identification is not just giving a number to a part or document, but typically includes defining the owning organization and possibly the item class and type.

To avoid duplicate identifiers, your System Rules tool specifies which data elements are tested for uniqueness. As you configure your identification system, see the Item uniqueness definition system rule help topic for more information.

The sequence generator doesn't try to enforce the rule. You can edit the value using, for example, a different prefix, suffix, or skip character.

If you need to reserve a block of numbers (such as for a contract design service), edit the Next number value. For example, if the current value is 100489 and you need to reserve a block of 100 numbers, modify the Next number to 100589.

Although you can modify a sequence after it's been in use, you should consider possible conflicts with existing items. Edit the value only when no other users are adding new item records.

2041