Item – Document connects an engineering Item to a managed Document that describes or supports it. It makes specifications, manuals, reports, and other written information accessible in the item’s context.
When to use it
- Use it when an item needs a related specification, operating manual, report, or similar managed information.
- Use it to associate an existing Document with the item it supports without creating another document record.
Records and direction
- Relationship type: Non-structure. Associates the records without placing the target in a parent-child hierarchy.
- From: the Item that the information supports, such as Pump P-100.
- To: the managed Document, such as Operating Manual P-100. The PDF or other digital content is associated with the Document through its File connection.
Information to check
- The Item and Document each retain their own identities, revisions, and lifecycle states.
- The relationship can carry a description and order where these are offered.
- Confirm both record versions when creating or reviewing the connection. Connecting a Document does not by itself establish that its content is approved.
How to use it
- Create the relation with drag and drop in a Structure widget: drag the intended Document onto the Item it supports. Select Item – Document from the relationship options offered, review the records, and confirm.
- Alternatively, select the Item, choose Connect, and select the existing Document with the Item – Document relationship.
- Use Quick Create with Relation from the Item when a new Document and its connection need to be created together. Enter the document details and choose Item – Document.
- Whichever method you use, open the related Document from the Item and check its revision, details, and connected file.
Item – Document example and questions
Connecting an operating manual to a pump
Pump P-100 needs its operating instructions available to reviewers. Operating Manual P-100 already exists as a Document, with Pump Manual.pdf connected as its File. In a Structure widget, drag Operating Manual P-100 onto Pump P-100 and choose Item – Document to create the relation.
| Connection | From | To |
| Item – Document | Pump P-100 | Operating Manual P-100 |
| File | Operating Manual P-100 | Pump Manual.pdf |
Reviewers can reach the managed manual from the pump and then open its digital content. The Item – Document connection supplies product context; the File connection supplies the content. A second manual record is not needed just to associate the existing manual with the pump.
Common questions
Should I select the PDF as the target? Select the Document record for Item – Document. Use a File relationship when connecting directly to uploaded digital content.
The Document is missing from the view. What should I check? Review the relationship filters, selected item revision, and access to the Document before adding another connection.
The manual has changed. What should I review? Check the Document revision referenced by the connection and the corresponding file. Decide which version is suitable for the item before updating the reference.
Choosing the relationship
Choose Item – Document for managed written information supporting an item. Choose Drawing for a managed engineering drawing. Choose Subitem for an engineering component within the item structure.
Further reading
The Document and File object articles explain the difference between managed information and digital content. The Connect, Quick Create with Relation, and Disconnect command articles explain how to manage the connection.
