Adding new attributes to the Attribute Master in Assette is a structured process that ensures consistency across portfolio data and enables more granular reporting and client communications. Assette’s data model is designed to support flexible attribute structures, allowing firms to define custom categories such as investment styles, geographic focus, ESG status, or other proprietary classifications. This article explains how to add new attributes by working with the relevant Data Blocks in a typical implementation.
Define Attribute Type, Code, and Values #
The first step is to define the new attribute’s type, its code, and the values that should be available for use. This is done in the Data Block named Source_ListofAttributeTypeValues. This source block provides Assette with the list of available attribute types and values that populate the Attribute Master.
Each row in this data block should contain the following fields:
- ATTRIBUTETYPE – This is the name or label for the attribute (e.g., ESG Strategy or Geographic Focus).
- ATTRIBUTETYPECODE – This is a short system-defined code used internally (e.g., ESG, GEO).
- ATTRIBUTETYPEVALUE – These are the actual values associated with the type (e.g., Sustainable, North America, Emerging Markets).
Once these fields are populated, you are telling Assette what new types and values exist, but you haven’t yet mapped them to portfolios.
Add Portfolio-to-Attribute Mappings #
After defining your attributes, the next step is to assign them to the appropriate portfolios. This is done using the Source_AccountAttributesValues Data Block. This block creates the connection between each portfolio and its relevant attribute values.
You’ll need to populate the following fields:
- PORTFOLIOCODE – This should match the portfolio code as defined in the Account Master.
- ATTRIBUTETYPE – The attribute type label (same as above, e.g., ESG Strategy).
- ATTRIBUTETYPECODE – The corresponding short code for the attribute type.
- ATTRIBUTETYPEVALUE – The specific value being applied to that portfolio (e.g., Sustainable).
By filling out this mapping, you allow Assette to know which portfolios should inherit which attribute values. This enables dynamic filtering and presentation logic across data objects and presentations.
Sync Data with Assette #
Once your data sources (Source_ListofAttributeTypeValues and Source_AccountAttributesValues) are populated with the new information, the final step is to sync these with Assette. See the Master Data Scheduler article for more information.