Managing Item Attributes and Modifiers

Attributes and modifiers let you add configurable options to inventory items that customers or POS operators select at the time of sale. Think of attributes as add-ons like sizes, colors, extras, or customizations that can carry their own pricing. This guide covers the entire attribute system from definition to POS usage.

How the Attribute System Works

The attribute system has three layers:

1. Attribute Definitions — The master list of available attributes (e.g., "Small", "Medium", "Large", "Extra Cheese", "No Onions")
2. Attribute Groups — Logical groupings that organize attributes into categories (e.g., "Size", "Toppings", "Preparation")
3. Item Attribute Assignments — The per-item configuration that determines which attributes are available for a specific item, with optional price and quantity overrides

Creating Attribute Definitions

Attribute definitions are created through the frmNewAttributeDefinition form. Each definition is a reusable attribute that can be assigned to multiple items.

Attribute Definition Fields

To create a new attribute definition, navigate to the attribute management area and click Add New. Fill in the fields and save.

Managing Attribute Groups

Attribute groups organize your definitions into logical categories using the frmManageAttributeGroups form. Groups provide structure when you have many attributes.

Examples of useful attribute groups:

• Size — Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large
• Color — Red, Blue, Green, Black, White
• Preparation — Rare, Medium, Well Done
• Add-Ons — Extra Cheese, Bacon, Avocado
• Customization — Engraving, Gift Wrap, Rush Processing

Groups help the POS display attributes in an organized way, presenting each group as a separate section or panel during attribute selection.

Assigning Attributes to Items

Attributes are assigned to individual items through the Class Attributes tab on the item form (frmInventoryItem). The assignment process uses the frmManageItemAttributes form.

Assignment Workflow

1. Open the item in the item form (frmInventoryItem)
2. Go to the Class Attributes tab
3. Click the manage or assign button to open frmManageItemAttributes
4. Use the search and filter controls to find attributes by name or group
5. Select the attributes you want to assign to this item (batch selection is supported — select multiple at once)
6. Clear any attributes you want to remove from this item
7. Save the assignments

Per-Item Overrides

When assigning an attribute to a specific item, you can override the attribute definition's defaults:

Overrides only affect the specific item they are set on. Other items using the same attribute definition retain the definition's default values.

Batch Markup Application

The attribute management form supports batch markup operations. You can select multiple attributes and apply a markup percentage to all of them at once. This is useful when:

• You need to increase attribute prices across the board (e.g., a 10% price increase on all add-ons)
• You are setting up a new item and want consistent pricing across many attributes

Select the attributes you want to adjust, enter the markup percentage, and apply. All selected attributes will have their prices updated.

Enabling Attributes on an Item

Assigning attributes to an item is only half the setup. You must also enable the Allows Attributes checkbox on the item's General tab:

• Allows Attributes = checked — When the item is added to a POS transaction, the system presents the assigned attributes for selection
• Allows Attributes = unchecked — No attribute selection prompt appears, even if attributes are assigned to the item

This two-step design (assign attributes + enable the checkbox) lets you pre-configure attributes on items before making them live at the POS.

How Attributes Work at the POS

When an item with enabled attributes is added to a POS transaction:

1. The attribute selection panel appears, organized by attribute groups
2. The operator selects the desired attributes (e.g., "Large" from Size, "Extra Cheese" and "Bacon" from Add-Ons)
3. Each selected attribute's price is added to the line item total
4. Quantity constraints (max quantity) are enforced — the operator cannot exceed the maximum
5. The selected attributes are recorded on the transaction line item for receipt printing, reporting, and history

Attributes appear on the receipt and invoice under the item name, so customers can see exactly what was selected.

Tips

• Start with groups — Create your attribute groups before creating individual definitions. This keeps everything organized from the beginning.
• Use meaningful names — Attribute names appear on customer receipts, so use clear, customer-friendly names rather than internal codes
• Set default prices at the definition level — Only use per-item price overrides when a specific item genuinely needs a different price for the same attribute
• Deactivate rather than delete — If an attribute is no longer needed, set Is Active to false rather than deleting it. This preserves historical transaction data.
• Test at the POS — After setting up attributes, test the selection flow at the POS to verify groups display correctly, prices are right, and quantity limits work as expected