Document Types > DITA .dcf Settings > Specifying an ID Attribute
  
Specifying an ID Attribute
In some document types, such as the DITA document types, an attribute is used to uniquely identify elements that is not an attribute assigned the ID type. You can use the .dcf file to specify that these attributes should be treated as an ID type attribute with respect to linking and similar processes. Note that if the ID attribute is not set for a DITA document type, Arbortext Editor provides a default value of id.
To specify an ID attribute:
1. Open Arbortext Architect.
2. Choose File > Open.
3. Locate the directory in which the document type is saved, and click Select.
4. Once the document type is loaded, choose Edit > DCF. If the document type has a .dcf file, it displays in the Arbortext ArchitectDCF Editor window. If there is no .dcf file associated with this document type, Arbortext Architect automatically creates one.
5. Locate the Options element in the DCF Editor. If the file doesn't include an Options element, add one.
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Open the Document Type Viewer (Tools > Document Type Viewer) to view the element hierarchy for the .dcf file. This will help you determine the valid location for the Options element.
6. Place your cursor to the right of the Options element, and choose Edit > Modify Attributes or click on the Modify Attributes toolbar button to open the Modify Attributes dialog box.
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You must have the Force Required Attributes EntryEdit preference selected for this dialog box to open automatically.
7. In the idAttribute field, enter the name of the attribute used as an ID attribute in your document type.
8. Click OK.
9. Choose File > Save to save the changes you have made to the .dcf file.