---
title: "Dependency Field"
url: "https://help.manageartworks.com/en/article/dependency-field"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-07-03T05:34:11.272Z"
---

# Dependency Field

| ![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/5b4a7650-0b61-4a6a-9deb-92940393cfb8) | **Note:** The Dependency Field is an **Enterprise Plan** feature but can be added as an **add-on** for **Growth Plan** users. It is essential to configure the required metadata fields as "**Use as Collection**" for them to appear as dependency fields. Only metadata fields with "Use as Collection" properties will be available for selection. For configuration instructions, refer to [Manage Metadata Fields](https://help.manageartworks.com/en/article/manage-metadata-fields). |
| --- | --- |

A Dependency Field is a type of metadata field that establishes a hierarchical or conditional relationship between different fields within the system. This feature allows users to create and manage dependencies between fields, ensuring that the selection of one field dictates the available options in another.

**Example**

-   **Primary Field:** Packaging Type (e.g., Bottle, Box, Bag)
-   **Dependent Field:** Material Type (e.g., Glass, Plastic, Cardboard)
    -   If "Bottle" is selected as the packaging type, the material type field options can be limited to "Glass" and "Plastic."
    -   If "Box" is selected, the material type field option can be restricted to "Cardboard."

> How do I set up a dependency field?

### 01\. Access the Dependency Field Settings

1.  Log in to your [ManageArtworks](https://app.manageartworks.com/karomi/global/build/login) account.
2.  Navigate to the **Admin** module.
3.  Click the **Dependency Field** tab.

### ![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/548ed67d-8636-4595-99f2-36195b8e5f61)  
02\. Create a New Dependency Hierarchy

1.  Click the **Add** button in the upper-right corner.
2.  The **Add Dependency Hierarchy** pop-up will appear.

| ![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/cb77f884-6b41-4231-aa70-1e832e70a9d6) | **Note**: Users on the **Growth Plan** can create a dependency hierarchy only for project fields.  <br>Users on the **Enterprise Plan** can create a dependency hierarchy for both project and component fields. For more information on all ManageArtworks plans, click [here](https://www.manageartworks.com/pricing). |
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![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/a8a48f30-6209-4c41-8596-e75274ec043a)

### 03\. Configure the Dependency Hierarchy

1.  Hierarchy Name:
    1.  Enter a descriptive name for the hierarchy.
2.  Project & Component Fields Configuration  
    **Note:** Component dependency field configuration is available only in the **Enterprise Plan**. The system automatically distinguishes between Project Fields and Component Fields. Users cannot manually select or configure which fields belong to projects or components—this is handled by default within the system.  
    For more information or assistance with configuring component fields, please contact the **ManageArtworks Support Team**.
3.  Project Hierarchy Fields:
    
    1.  Choose the project metadata fields to include in the hierarchy (e.g., Category, Product Name, Pack Size) from the available list.  
        **Note:** You can select up to 8 fields. Only project metadata fields configured with the "**Use as Collection**" option will appear in the list. For details on how to enable metadata fields as collections, refer to [Manage Metadata Fields](https://help.manageartworks.com/en/article/manage-metadata-fields). 
    
    1.  Use the drag icon **(::)** to rearrange the selected fields in the preferred order.
4.  Component Hierarchy Fields (Available only in Enterprise Plan):
    
    1.  Choose the component metadata fields to include in the hierarchy (e.g., Component Name, Packaging Type, Print Process) which will reflect in the [Component](https://help.manageartworks.com/en/article/start-a-new-project-enterprise-plan#components-tab-(available-only-for-component-workflow-templates)%C2%A0) tab.  
        **Note:** You can select up to 8 fields. Only component metadata fields configured with the "**Use as Collection**" option will appear in the list. For details on how to enable metadata fields as collections, refer to [Manage Metadata Fields](https://help.manageartworks.com/en/article/manage-metadata-fields). 
    
    1.  Use the drag icon **(::)** to rearrange the selected fields in the preferred order.

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/05eda91e-416b-4b92-9979-64e83d1aee91)

### 04\. Dependency Relationship

1.  Even though **Project** and **Component** fields are selected separately, they are **linked** together.
2.  The topmost selected field under Project Hierarchy acts as the Primary Field, while the others serve as Dependent Fields.

### 05\. Finalize the Configuration

1.  Once configured, click **Create** to finalize the hierarchy.

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/774176ba-7cef-4039-98c3-b1cf96c41595)

## Data Mapping

Once the hierarchy is created, you need to map data to it::

1.  Click the **Data Mapping** button associated with the desired hierarchy.
2.  Click **Add Row** to start mapping.

### ![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/de45c3a5-6226-446c-951f-dc95dddef06c)  
Fill in Data

1.  A pop-up window will display all available **Project** and **Component** fields based on the hierarchy.
2.  Click on each field to either:
    1.  Select from existing options (e.g., clicking the "Category" field will display master data from Lists and Teams).
    2.  Enter new values if applicable.
3.  After completing the field entries, click **Create** to save the mapping.
4.  Repeat the process to add more rows as needed.

**Example of Data Mapping:**  
  
![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/8c5e3ae9-cbe9-48a3-bed3-29146a8af540)

-   **Category**: Wafer | **Brand**: Nestle | **Size**: 20 Oz
-   **Category**: Prepared Dishes | **Brand**: Maggi | **Size**: 0.5 Kg

**End-User Behavior:**

On the end-user side, when the user clicks the "Category" field, only relevant options (Wafer and Prepared Dishes) will be shown and if "Prepared Dishes" is selected, then "Brand" field will only show "Maggi". 

If **Component fields** are included in the hierarchy:

After completing all fields in the **Request Info** tab, the fields in the **Component** tab will become selectable, one by one, in the defined order.

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/4ff2a4b3-1b5d-4ae7-875e-565dea80ef15)

## Form Template Mapping

Dependency field hierarchies can be mapped to form templates, allowing dynamic management of form fields.

**To Map a Dependency Field Hierarchy to a Form Template:**

1.  Navigate to the **Create/Edit Form Template** page.
2.  Click **Add Field**.
3.  Select **Hierarchy** from the list.
4.  Click the drop-down icon and choose the desired hierarchy to add it to the form.
    -   The fields from the selected hierarchy will be dynamically inserted.  
        **Note:** If the hierarchy includes component fields, and you are working with a workflow template that has components, the fields will be dynamically inserted into the Component tab..
5.  Publish the template to update the changes.

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/858c594f-d52a-4a26-a45d-e8655f279223)

**Note**:

-   If a field from the hierarchy already exists in the form, the hierarchy will be linked, but the duplicate field won't be added.
-   If a field linked to a hierarchy is removed from the form, the entire hierarchy will be removed.