5 Item Reference Configuration

Item Reference Configuration provides the ability to assign JavaScript Methods that get invoked when a referenced Item is created through the process of inserting an instance of an Item Document Element (see Section ). These JavaScript Methods provide the logic to pre-populate Property values on the newly created Item and validate Property values added/updated by the user in the Item Form.

Figure 28: Generating a New Referenced Item

As described in Section , Item Document Elements contain a link between a Document Element in a Technical Document and an Item (Business Object) maintained in Innovator. Often, Properties from the associated Item (or related Items) are used to populate content within the Document. In addition to selecting an existing Item, the Technical Document Editor allows the creation of the referenced Item at the time the Item Document Element is placed. Doing so often requires input from the author to populate Properties on the Item before the record is created in the Database. When configuring a Document Element (see Section ), it is possible to assign a JavaScript Method that will be executed before the Item Form is presented to the author and after the Form is ‘Accepted’ to generate the Item in the database and establish the reference between it and the Technical Document. The process of creating a referenced Item is as follows:

1. The Authors selects the ‘New Item’ context menu for the Item Document Element. The system will generate a new referenced Item in the client
2. The configured JavaScript Method is called to pre-populate Properties on the Item
3. The associated Item Form is presented to the Author/User
4. The author visually validates the content and/or updates as required and selects the ‘Accept’ Button
5. The configured JavaScript Method is called to validate the Properties on the Item
6. The Item is stored in the database

The reference to the newly created Item is established with the Technical Document once the Technical Document is saved.