# Dataflow attributes Attributes are custom metadata that can be added to flows to better categorize them. Read the [Configure Dataflow attributes](/data-watcher-1.21/design/add-dataflow-attributes-to-flows.md) page for some examples and details. The Administrator is in charge of configuring the attributes that the user will select when modeling a flow - in the **Dataflow Modeler** section - or when the instance of a flow needs to be filled in with extra information - in the **Inquiry** section. To create attributes, go to **Setup** → **Dataflow Attributes** and click the **NEW** button on the top-right corner. The **New attribute** panel will appear.\ When Data Watcher is in a bundle with Data Mover, to configure attributes, go to **Setup** → **Attributes**, click the **NEW** button, and fill in the fields of the **New Attribute** dialog window. ### Dataflow model attributes Dataflow model attributes can be assigned when modeling a flow. To create a new **Dataflow model attribute**, fill in these fields: * **Status**: set the toggle switch to on (the attribute is active) or off (the attribute is created but will not be listed among the attributes available). * **Name**: assign a name to the attribute. E.g., Document Type. * **Description** (optional): you can enter a description for the attribute you are creating. * **Category**: select Dataflow model. * **Type**: select if the dictionary must be: * **Closed**: the user can choose only from the list of values you are setting. * **Open**: the user can choose among the values you are setting and can also add new values. * **Multiple options**: check this box if multiple attributes can be assigned to the flow when modeling it. Uncheck the box if only one attribute must be assigned. * **Mandatory**: check this box if you want the user to enter/select at least one attribute and uncheck it if the user must be able to leave the model without attributes. * **Values**: enter the values of the attribute and click the **ADD** button. You can add as many values as needed, by clicking the button every time you need to add a new field. E.g., DOCX, PDF, TXT. If you need to edit the Attribute or any of its values, click the 3-dots icon and select the **Edit** option. The panel will appear allowing you to edit the selected attribute. Once you have configured Dataflow model attributes and their values, users will find them in **Dataflow Models** → **Dataflow Properties** panel, → ![](/files/DGQA5rIc6G7gEPXkXezh) icon, where they can be used to categorize flows when modeling them.\ When Data Watcher is in a bundle with Data Mover, the panel is in **Design** → **Dataflow Models** → **Dataflow Modeler** → **DATAFLOW PROPERTIES panel** → ![](/files/udd7AemfRdtRXk1oAUmI) icon. See [Dataflow Model attributes](/data-watcher-1.21/model/dataflow-model-attributes.md) for details. These attributes are spread on instances and cannot be deleted. ### Dataflow instance attributes Dataflow instance attributes can be assigned when the instance of a flow needs to be filled in with extra information. To create a new **Dataflow instance attribute**, fill in these fields: * **Status**: set the toggle switch to on (the attribute is active) or off (the attribute is created but will not be listed among the attributes available). * **Name**: assign a name to the attribute. * **Description** (optional): you can enter a description for the attribute you are creating. * **Category**: select Dataflow instance. * **Multiple options**: check this box if multiple attributes can be assigned to the instance. Uncheck the box if only one attribute must be assigned. * **Values**: enter the values of the attribute and click the **ADD** button. You can add as many values as needed, by clicking the button every time you need to add a new field. Note that instance attributes are always Closed and the user must choose only from the list of values you are setting. If you need to edit the attribute or any of its values, click the 3 dots icon and select the **Edit** option. The panel will appear allowing you to edit the selected attribute. Once you have configured the Dataflow instance attributes and their values, users will find them when opening the instance of a flow by going to **Dataflow Models** → click the 3 dots icon and select **View Master Version** or **Edit Draft Version** → **Dataflow Properties** panel → icon.\ When Data Watcher is in a bundle with Data Mover, you will find them in **Monitoring** → **Dataflow inquiry** → **3 dots icon** → **New Instance attribute**. These attributes can be used to add information to the instance. See [Dataflow Instance attributes](/data-watcher-1.21/monitor/dataflow-instance-attributes.md) for details. To delete them, simply click the x on the right of the chip. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.primeur.com/data-watcher-1.21/setup/dataflow-attributes.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.