Set up Naming Rules

When new objects are created, not all object names must be manually entered. You can define rules to automatically name these objects. Customised automatic naming allows users to reduce the amount of time in renaming objects from the default naming structure to a more meaningful name. Ideally the system should allocate the next name of an object, with the users only needing to confirm the name. This makes following correct business rules easy and produces consistency in naming.

A simple naming change would be to alter the mask of the naming rule or the latest used counter value, and a more complex naming change would be to use a script to determine the next name for an object, in accordance with the individual customer's requirements. See Set up a Naming Rule Script.

The counter used for new object names can be controlled either server-side or client-side.

Security Note: You need the Allow naming rules modification security right in the Options user group security rights group for this activity.

Activity Steps

1. Open the Naming Rules screen.
2. Locate and select the item to be changed.
3. Update the Naming Mask and Counter Value for the object type.

   By default, the counter is kept client-side and resets every time the application is closed.

   Format rules:

   • Words are a constant string in each new object name.
   • Digits are placed within square brackets [ ].
   • Each nine (9) denotes one place.

   Example: Contract – [9999] creates a name like Contract-0001.

4. If the counter is to be controlled by the server, click Use Server Mask Counter.

   Note: If a Counter Value is changed, this does not cause any unique constraint problems because internally all codes use unchangeable unique identifiers.

5. Click Save.