Add a Note or Document to a Registered Object

Problem

The metadata for libraries, tables, and other registered objects includes a Description field. This field is limited to 200 characters, but some objects might need a longer description.

Solution

You can type text into the Quick Note field on the Notes tab on the properties window for the object. Alternatively, you can create a note or document and associate it with the metadata for the object that you want to describe.
Notes are generally short and contain only minimal formatting. A document is usually longer, and it might have been authored using a word-processing program or a desktop-publishing application. Documents can contain more elaborate formatting, graphics, and so on.
Use the following methods to add notes or documents to the metadata for a library, table, or another object:

Tasks

Add a Quick Note to a Metadata Object

Perform the following steps to add a quick note to a metadata object:
  1. In a SAS application, display the properties window for the object that you want to describe.
  2. Click the Notes tab.
  3. Type the desired text into the Quick Notes field.
  4. Click OK to save your changes.

Create a Note and Attach It to a Metadata Object

Perform the following steps to create a note and associate it with a metadata object:
  1. In a SAS application, display the properties window for the resource that you want to describe.
  2. Click the Notes tab.
  3. In the Notes area of the tab, click New. The New Notes window displays.
  4. In the Name field, enter a name for the metadata to identify the note.
  5. (Optional) In the Description field, enter a longer description for the metadata to identify the note.
  6. In the Location field, accept the default folder or click the Browse button to select the folder in the Folders tree. The metadata for the note is stored in the selected folder.
  7. In the Text field, enter a note that describes the current object.
  8. Click OK to save your changes and associate the note with the current object.

Create a Document and Attach It to a Metadata Object

Perform the following steps to create a document and associate it with a metadata object:
  1. Use third-party software to create a document that describes one or more registered objects. Remember the path to the document.
  2. In a SAS application, display the properties window for an object that you described in Step 1.
  3. Click the Notes tab.
  4. In the Documents area of the tab, click New. The New Documents window displays.
  5. In the Name field, enter a name for the metadata that identifies the document.
  6. (Optional) In the Description field, enter a longer description for the metadata that identifies the document.
  7. In the Location field, accept the default folder or click the Browse button to select the folder in the Folders tree. The metadata for the document is stored in the selected folder.
  8. Click the right corner of the Path field to display the file selection button and click that button. A file selection window displays for the default SAS Application Server or a SAS Application Server that you select.
  9. Use the file selection window to select the document that you created in Step 1.
  10. Click OK to save your changes and associate the selected document with the current object.

Attach One or More Registered Notes or Documents to a Metadata Object

Perform the following steps to associate one or more registered notes or documents with a metadata object:
  1. In a SAS application, display the properties window for the metadata object.
  2. Click the Notes tab.
  3. In the Notes area or the Documents area of the tab, click Attach. The Select Notes window or the Select Documents window displays.
  4. In the window, use the Folders tree to display the desired notes or documents. Select one or more notes or documents, and then click the right arrow to move them into the Selected column.
  5. Click OK to link the selected notes or documents to the current metadata object.

Associate a Quick Note, a Note, or a Document with a Column

Perform the following steps to associate a quick note, a note, or a document with the metadata for a table column:
  1. In a SAS application, display the properties window for a table with a column that you want to describe with a quick note, a note, or a document.
  2. Click the Columns tab.
  3. Right-click the column that you want to describe, and then select Properties. The column properties window displays.
  4. Attach a quick note, a note, or a document, as described in the previous tasks.
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