Counters

Counter is a set of rules used to generate serial numbers for app items. The generated value is written to the Index system field and can be used, for example, to generate item names from a template.

Types of counters:

1. Workspace counters. Used for continuous numbering across multiple apps.
2. App counters. Allows assigning sequential numbers within a single app.

To select and configure the right counter type, see Counter behavior in the system.

Set up a workspace counter

A counter created within a workspace allows for continuous numbering of items across multiple apps. Within a single workspace, you can group apps and set up separate numbering for each group. To do this, create multiple workspace counters.

Please note that when you add continuous numbering in a workspace, the apps become linked. You will not be able to export them individually later.

To create a workspace counter, follow these steps:

1. Click the gear icon next to the workspace name and select Counters.

2. On the page that opens, click +Counter.

3. Fill out the fields:

• Name*. Enter a name for the counter, for example, Order counter.
• Start value*. Specify the value that numbering will start from, for example, 1.
• Step*. Specify the step with which the numbers will be assigned to the items. For example, if the step is 1, numbers will be assigned in the following sequence: 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
• Reset numbering periodically. Enable this option to schedule numbering resets for app items. Click Change to set the frequency and the exact date of the next reset.

For example, for an annual update, enter 1 in the Reset period field and select Year. To reset numbering once every two months, enter 2 and select Month.

5. Click Create.
6. Open the apps from the workspace that you wish to link with continuous numbering. In the settings of each app, specify the created workspace counter.

To set different numbering for separate groups of apps, configure multiple counters in the workspace.

Set up an app counter

A counter in an app assigns sequential numbers to items stored in the Index system field from the app context.

You can configure:

• Numbering of items within one app.
• Continuous numbering for items in multiple apps within a single workspace.

To configure a counter:

1. Click the gear icon next to the app name and select Counter in the menu.

2. Set up the counter on one of the tabs: App or Workspace.

1. App. Configure settings for numbering items in the current app:

• Step*. Specify the step with which numbers are assigned to items.
• Next number. The value from which numbering will start or continue. You can change it if needed.
• Reset numbering periodically. Enable this option to schedule numbering resets for items. Click Change to set the frequency and the exact date of the next reset.
• Assign an index number when opening app creation form. Enable this option so the number is assigned at the moment the item creation form is opened, not after saving it. For example, to ensure the item name, including its number, is formed immediately and does not change after saving. The number is considered used, even if the user closed the creation form. Therefore, enabling this setting may result in gaps in numbering.

2. Workspace. configure continuous numbering of items across multiple apps within a single workspace:

• Counter*. Specify the workspace counter. Its settings will be used for the numbering of items in the app.
• Assign an index number when opening item creation form. Select when the number is assigned to the item. This option works the same as in the app counter settings on the App tab.

3. Click Save.

The counter settings will be applied for all subsequently created items.

Edit counter settings

After saving the settings, sequential numbers are assigned to app items automatically. You can edit the numbering rule in use.

To modify the numbering at the app level, update the settings as described in App counters.

To edit numbering at the workspace level, click the gear icon next to the workspace name and select Counters. Open the required Counter from the list and adjust its settings. The updated rules will be applied to new items.

If structure versioning is enabled in the company, a new version of the app is created when the following counter settings are changed:

• The number assignment method: on form open or after saving the item.
• The numbering type: sequential across all apps or within a single app.
• The counter used for continuous numbering.

To view versions, go to the app settings menu, select Additional > Version History, and open the tab with app versions.

Set the next value

You can manually set the sequential number from which numbering will continue. For example, to reset the numbering, you can set the value to 1.

For an app counter, go to its settings, and in the Next number field, click Change. Enter the new value and save the settings.

For the workspace, go to the list of counters. Next to the counter name, click the three dots icon and select Set Next Value.

In the window that opens, enter the desired next number and click Set to apply the changes.

Continuous numbering of items will continue from the specified value.