Attribute definitions

Attribute classes categorize the information that is stored as attributes on chart items and are part of a chart's properties. If the existing attribute classes are not suitable for your data, you can add or edit attribute classes. Attribute entries are preset values for attributes of a specific attribute class. For values that you reuse regularly, define attribute entries and add them to the appropriate palettes.

Attribute class definitions

The standard template contains several attribute classes that you can use when you are creating a chart, for example, Nationality or Date of Birth. However, if you are working with specialized data, you can define your own attribute classes to categorize your data. You can then use these attribute classes in your chart or to create your own template.

An attribute class has the following characteristics:

Table 1. Analyst's Notebook attribute class characteristics.
The different characteristics that each attribute class defines.
Characteristic	Description
Symbol	The symbol that can be displayed on the charting surface when an attribute of this class is added to a chart item, for example a red triangle. An attribute class symbol does not have to be unique. You can use your own custom symbols.
Name	The name that identifies the attribute class.
Type	The data type: Text, Flag, Number, Date & Time.
Semantic Type	A category that defines the real-world meaning of data, and therefore defines how applications interpret that data. For example, Crime Type is a semantic type that might be assigned to the attribute class Offense. You can select a semantic type from the i2 semantic type library or you can derive your own custom semantic type from a semantic type that is stored in the library.

When you define an attribute class, you can configure its style and format and choose which user palettes contain that attribute class. For example, you can choose to display a symbol, prefix or suffix on the charting surface and set the font properties of an attribute class.

Note: If you add a prefix or suffix, such as a dollar sign for a monetary value, Analyst's Notebook does not leave a space between the value and the prefix or suffix. You must enter a space as part of the prefix or suffix.

You can also choose whether to display the attribute value itself. For example, when you use a flag attribute, displaying the attribute name alone might be sufficient. The display options vary depending on the type of the attribute class.

Attribute entry definitions

The standard template contains several preset values for some attributes, such as Nationality, for example Spanish, Dutch, and Italian. These preset values are known as attribute entries. You can define your own attribute entries with values that you use regularly. You can then use these attribute entries in your chart or to create your own template.

When you define an attribute entry, you must select the attribute class, then enter a value and select the user palettes on which you want the attribute entry to appear.