Linked definitions

Definitions describe the properties and output structure of a data record. They live at the Account level, not inside a single Material — so the same Definition can be reused across many Materials. To use a Definition when creating Certificates for a Material, you link it to that Material.

Before you start

• You need the Materials update permission to link and unlink Definitions — see Roles & permissions.
• The Definition you want to link must already exist at Account level — see Create a definition.

Link a definition

1. Open the Material and select the Definitions tab.
2. Choose to add a Definition, then pick the account-level Definition you want from the list.
3. Confirm to link it. The Definition now appears among the Material’s linked Definitions and is available when creating Certificates for this Material.

The Definitions tab on a Material record, showing linked definitions

Tip

Linking doesn’t copy the Definition — it points the Material at the shared, account-level record. Changes to that Definition affect every Material it’s linked to.

Unlink a definition

1. On the Material’s Definitions tab, find the linked Definition.
2. Remove the link.

Unlinking only removes the connection between the Material and the Definition. The Definition itself is not deleted and remains available at Account level for other Materials. Likewise, if you delete a Material, its links to account-level Definitions are removed but those Definitions are kept.

Related

• Materials overview
• Definitions overview
• Create a definition
• Definition Maps overview
• Assign users to a Material