Admins can customize Unity eBilling to record additional details beyond those captured and tracked by our general attributes (e.g., Matter Name, Description, Legal Entity, Cost Code, etc.). These additional data fields are referred to as custom attributes and can be associated with matters, vendors, invoices, and other types of records depending on customer needs.
Before moving forward, think through the information your company needs to record and report on. What data do you need beyond what is already built into the system? Some ways our customers use custom attributes include the following:
- Setting custom attributes as allocatable to assign portions of spend to accounting-type attributes other than our built-in fields (e.g., Cost Codes or Legal Entity).
- Scoping attributes to matters, legal entities, invoices, vendors, and/or purchase orders (if applicable) to capture and link datapoints across various types of records.
This article covers the following:
Note: These User Guides will be updated as more features are added and revised. Check in frequently for more information.
Supported Field Types
When creating a custom attribute, you must give it a name and select a field type based on its function and purpose. Supported field types are listed and briefly described below.
| Field Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Text | Open text field for shorter inputs, such as names, titles, or brief descriptions. Supports input of letters, digits, and other symbols. |
| List | Dropdown field with a defined list of values users can choose from, such as an office location, region, sub-type, or department name. |
| Date | Date field that allows manual input or use of a calendar picker. |
| Yes/No | Allows users to select from Yes or No values only for tagging purposes. |
| Text Area | A multi-row open text field, such as for notes or instructions. Supports input of letters, digits, and other symbols. |
| Currency | Consists of two fields: one for currency code (list of values) and one for the currency value (numeric field). |
| Number | Numeric-only field, such as for number of items or projects. Supports input of digits and decimal places, where applicable. |
| Percentage | Numeric-only field to display percentage values, such as for a discount percentage. Supports input of digits and decimal places, where applicable. |
Adding New Custom Attributes
1. Go to Settings > Custom Attributes.
2. Click + Add Custom Attributes in the top-right corner.
3. Enter or select the following and then click Save:
- Attribute Name (required): Custom attribute name as it should appear in scoped records.
- Attribute Description: Any optional text as a guide to other admins.
- Type (required): Select from Text, List, Yes/No, Date, Currency, Text Area, Number, or Percentage. If creating a list attribute, refer to the next section for instructions on how to add list values. For descriptions of field types, click here.
- Scope: Specify which record types the custom attribute can be associated with (i.e., Matters, Vendors, Invoices, Legal Entities, and/or Purchase Orders). Click Apply.
- Allocatable: Select this box if the attribute should be available as an option for spend allocation at the matter or invoice level. For additional information about allocatable custom attributes, skip to the section below.
1. Click on the custom attribute name from the table to open its details page.
2. Switch to the Custom Attribute Lists tab and click Create Custom Attribute Lists.
3. Enter the list value in the Name field and click Save.
All customers have two built-in allocatable attributes: Legal Entity and Cost Code. These attributes can be used to assign portions of spend at the matter or invoice level. For additional information about allocations, click here.
Custom attributes can serve as additional markers to group invoices based on other associated characteristics. We recommend that admins first think through the information the company needs to capture and report on, and whether those needs are addressed by the out-of-the-box fields for Legal Entities and Cost Codes.
Custom Attribute Management
This section covers how to manage custom data fields under Settings > Custom Attributes.
The custom attributes table displays the following information:
- Name: How the field appears to users in scoped records (e.g., matters, invoices, legal entities, etc.).
- Description: Any additional notes or context provided for reference by other admins.
- Data Type: Refers to the type of field (e.g., text, list, date, or currency).
- Scope: Which types of records the custom attribute is associated with (e.g., legal entities, etc.).
- Allocatable: Displays Yes (can be used for spend allocation) or No (designated for tracking/reporting purposes).
- Actions: Displays ... (more) menu with options to Edit or Delete.
There are two ways to edit a custom attribute:
Option 1: Click ... (more) under the Actions column and select Edit.
Update the relevant fields (e.g., Name, Description, Scope, etc.) and then click Save.
OR
Option #2: Click on the hyperlinked custom attribute name from the table to open the details page.
From the General tab, hover over the value for a field and click the edit icon. Click outside of the field to save your changes.
If editing the Scope, make sure to click Apply before clicking outside of the field.
Click the ... (more) option under the Actions column and select Delete.
Click Yes when prompted to confirm.
