---
title: Content Serial Numbers (CSNs)
description: "In Assette, the **Content Serial Number (CSN)** serves as a unique identifier automatically generated each time content is produced or published. The CSN ensures that every piece of generated content can be uniquely traced back to its source configuration and…"
url: "https://learn.assette.com/docs/content-serial-numbers-csns/"
updated: "2026-04-15"
category: Users / Content Hub / Content Center
---

# Content Serial Numbers (CSNs)

In Assette, the **Content Serial Number (CSN)** serves as a unique identifier automatically generated each time content is produced or published. The CSN ensures that every piece of generated content can be uniquely traced back to its source configuration and generation time.

A CSN is automatically created by the system and cannot be manually configured or overridden. Its primary purpose is to maintain a clear and consistent audit trail of all generated content across the Assette environment—especially important for compliance, review, and version control processes.

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### How the Content Serial Number (CSN) Is Formed

The CSN follows a fixed and standardized pattern:

Content Group Code – Content Type Code – Date Time Stamp

For example:
OT-105-20251102212834673

Each component of this identifier is derived from different elements within the system:

- **Content Group Code (CGC):** A two-letter code representing the content group. Content Groups are created in **Admin Center > Content Type Master > Manage Content Groups**. Users can create a new group by selecting **+ New Group** and assigning a CGC. Once created, the Content Group Code itself cannot be changed, although other properties of the group may be edited.
- **Content Type Code (CTC):** A three-digit numeric code between **100 and 999** that represents the content type. Content Type Codes are created or edited in **Admin Center > Content Type Master > Manage Content Types**.
  The tooltip for this field in the Content Type Master screen reads:“Enter a unique 3-digit number between 100 and 999. The Content Type Code (CTC), along with the two-letter Content Group Code (CGC), and an automatically generated Date Time Stamp forms the Content Serial Number (CSN)—used to identify generated content.”
- **Date Time Stamp:** A system-generated timestamp appended at the end of the CSN to ensure uniqueness. It represents the precise date and time at which the content was generated (formatted as YYYYMMDDHHMMSSsss).

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### Purpose and Use of the CSN

The CSN is used throughout Assette to ensure every generated content instance can be distinctly identified. This makes it possible to trace, review, and manage generated documents, ensuring transparency and accountability in production workflows.

- Each time content is generated, a new CSN is produced.
- The CSN is visible in the **Generation Overlay** screen, allowing users to confirm which version of the content was generated and when.
- The system uses the CSN internally for tracking, versioning, and workflow management; it is not designed to be customized or modified by users.

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### Key Notes

- The CSN output **cannot be configured or customized** by users; the format is fixed and system-defined.
- While the Content Group and Content Type definitions can be edited, their assigned **codes (CGC and CTC)** cannot be changed once created.
- The CSN plays a critical role in supporting audit and compliance processes by linking content outputs directly to their creation metadata.