Name generator

Set up the name generator and define the generation rules. After the name generator is set up and a rule is active, the Name field becomes read-only.

You set up the naming rules by defining what fields can consist of a name, how long it is, and how contextual fields are separated. When you define a maximum length, it applies to the entire name, so the length of each field and the sum of the length of all fields that you define cannot exceed the maximum length.

Select Setup > Name Generator.
Click the New icon.
Specify this information:

Module

Select the module where this rule applies.

Main Category

This field appears when Material is selected in the Module field. Select a main material category from the list.
If there are multiple active rules, the main category determines what name generator rule applies when saving a material record.

If there are multiple active rules, and the main category does not match any rule, the rule that has no defined main category applies.

You can set up a name generator rule without specifying a main category to create a generic rule for all materials. You can also set up a name generator rule without specifying a main category and create other rules that have a main category defined. This mix of rules allows for name generation for materials with no main category defined.

Name

Specify a name for the name generator rule.

Description

Specify a description for the rule.

Max Length

Specify the maximum length of the name to be generated.

Active

Select to make this rule active.
There can only be one active name generator rule.

Sample Format

This field shows an example name format based on the contextual values that you set in the next steps.
To configure settings for this rule, define contextual values. Click the Add New Row icon.
In the Contextual Value table, specify this information:

Seq #

Field

Select a field from the list.
For a list of fields that you can select, see List of fields for contextual values.

Use Code/Name

Select Name or Code.

Starting Value

Specify the starting value for the field.

Length

Specify the length, should not exceed the value that you specified in Max Length.

Separator

Specify a separator for each contextual value. You can use alphanumeric and special characters.
To add more contextual values, click Add New Row and specify the fields.
Click Save.
If one of the fields in the contextual values has no value upon generating a name, this field is skipped and the generator proceeds to the next field's value. This way, displaying two separators together or showing a blank space then a separator are prevented.