Sort a Parts List by an Attribute Value

When generating a parts list, you can order the items in the resulting parts list by the value of a specified attribute. This permits the parts list to be sorted in an order other than that of the position of its parts list items.

Once configured, sorting of this type applies when you generate the parts list using one of these methods:

• Generate from BOM parts using the Generate Parts List or Generate Parts Lists for Selected Parts action.

• Generate from a generic parts list (template)

• Update parts list after an update to the source BOM

To specify a sort order for a generated parts list based on an attribute value:

1. Identify the parts list item attribute that you would like to use to order a generated parts list, for example Quantity.

2. Access the XCONF file PartsListItemAttributeMappings.xconf and edit it using the xconfmanager utility.

3. Declare two property entries in the format shown below:

◦ <Property name="partlistitem.sortAttribute" default="itemQuantity"/>

Here you define the part list item attribute (itemQuantity) that will be used as the sorting marker for the items in generated / updated parts lists.

You must enter the internal name for the specified attribute. Use the Type and Attribute Management utility to retrieve the internal name.

The default value for this property is itemNumber. If you leave this value, the parts list will always be sorted in the same order as the source BOM.

◦ <Property name="partlistitem.sortOrder" default="ascending"/>

Here you define the order in which parts list items should be ordered in the resulting parts list (ascending or descending).

4. Restart the method server once you have added or updated the XCONF file.

5. Generate the parts list from BOM parts, or from a generic parts list.

Parts list items in the resulting parts list are ordered by the value they have for the Quantity attribute.

The ordering will also apply when the parts list is updated following changes to the source BOM.

Sorting follows these general rules:

• Items without a value for the specified attribute are placed at end of the parts list (bottom of list if sort order is ascending, top of list if sort order is descending)

• Items without a value for the specified attribute are ordered by name if there's more than one

• Items that display a duplicate value for the specified attribute are grouped together in the relevant place in the parts list, and ordered by name.

Be aware of these implementation notes:

• A parts list is resorted when it is regenerated

• A parts list is not resorted when items are manually added to it

• Sorting persists when the parts list is published (PDF or Arbortext Content Delivery)

• You can still use the Save as default view for display and publishing option to manually sort a parts list

Using this option overrides any settings made for automatic sorting of the parts list.