Attributes are the characteristics of a product like Color, Size or Type.
VirtueMart knows two types of Attribute Setups, one which allows Stock Control for each Variant - you need to set up separate Products (called Items) - and one which just defines all attributes and attribute values directly at the Product (no need to add Products for each Attribute Combination, but no Stock Control for Variants).
Going back now to offering variations on a product: If you want to offer a fixed list of variations for your customer to choose from, rather than allowing them to pick and mix attributes as they please, you need to create some Items. Note: These are different from the content Items in Joomla! or Mambo itself. An item in VirtueMart is a pre-defined variation on the main product. In order to create an item, you have to set up at least one attribute first. Hence, it is only after you have added an attribute that the New Item toolbar button and its related menu option appear.
If you add Attributes to a Product, that Product becomes a Parent Product. After that you can add Child Products (called Items) each one having different Values for each Attribute.
To create a new product attribute, go to the Product List ("Products" ⇒ "List Products"). Select the Product you want to add or modify the Attributes. Click on "Add Attribute" in the Toolbar and a new window will open displaying the Attribute Form. Complete the attribute entry form and click the Save button in the toolbar to save the new item attribute. Once all item attributes have been defined, it is time to create the individual items (=child products!).
If you'd already added Items to that Product, you need to define the Values for this new Attribute for all the items. On the Product List click on "Item Information" under the name of the Parent Product - that will open the Item List. Then click on the name of an item to display the product entry form for that item. Populate the new item attribute field in the product entry form and click on the Save button at the end of the form to save the new item attribute definition.
Product Attributes Form Fields
- Name
The name used to identify the attribute.
- Number in List
The order in which the attribute is listed.
To create a new item, a parent product must exist / be created first. When completing the form, keep in mind that the product information, product dimensions, and product images entered here are the ones that will be displayed initially for all items. Once a specific item is selected by the customer, the product information, product dimensions, and product images for that item will be displayed.
Click on the Add Items button in the toolbar to display the product entry form for the specific item. This form is the same as previous product entry forms only the vendor and category fields have been populated for you, and item attribute fields for the attributes you have defined are now available. Complete the product entry form and click the Save button in the toolbar to save the new item.
To edit an existing item, open the product List and click on the "Item Information" Link behind a Product. You will be presented a List of all Child Items of that product. If you want to make changes to a specific item, click on the name of the item you want to edit to display the item entry form for that item. Make your changes and click the save button at the end of the form to update the item. Click on the Return to Parent Product link at the top of the page to edit another item.
To delete an item, List the Product's Items like in the previous section. Then click on the basket at the end of the row of the item you want to delete. If you want to delete all items, you must delete each item before deleting the parent item.Once all items have been deleted, click on the Delete button at the end of the product entry form of the parent item to delete the parent item.
To edit an existing product attribute, click on "Products" ⇒ "List Products" to display the list of products. Then click on the name of the parent product for which the attribute is being edited to display the product entry form for that parent product. Then click on "Products" ⇒ "Current Product" ⇒ "List Attributes" in the top menu. A new window will open displaying a list of product attributes assigned to the product selected. Click on the name of the attribute you want to edit to display the attribute entry form for that attribute. Complete the attribute entry form and click the Save button at the top of the form to update the item attribute.
To delete an existing product attribute, click on "Products" ⇒ "List Products" to display the list of products. Then click on the name of the parent product for which the attribute is being edited to display the product entry form for that parent product. Then click on "Products" ⇒ "Current Product" ⇒ "List Attributes" in the top menu. A new window will open displaying a list of product attributes assigned to the product selected. To delete an attribute, click on the Trash Bin icon in the last column of the row of the attribute you want to delete.
Instead of managing Child Products for each Attribute Variation, you can add Attributes and all their possible Values to Products directly in their Product Form.
Normal Attributes are called "advanced Attributes" in the Tab "Product Status" in the Product Form.
You can define as many Attributes and Attribute Values as you want. Additionally you can define Price Modifiers, so Attribute Values can affect the Price.
The Attribute Values will be presented to the Customer in Drop Down Lists, so an Attribute can be chosen (and must be chosen).
Important
If you have defined Attributes, the Customer must select a Value for all of the Attributes or it won't be possible to put the Product into the Cart.
Custom Attributes follow nearly the same Syntax as the "advanced Attributes".
They allow Customers to specify their own Values for Attributes (e.g. "Your Name" or "Your Greeting").
Important
If you have defined Attributes, the Customer must fill in a Value for all of the custom Attributes or it won't be possible to put the Product into the Cart.