What is an attribute?

An attribute is a field definition — the “question” your catalog asks. Product values are the “answers” for each product.

Settings Attributes list showing types and groups — Settings → Attributes — type, group, and Value per channel / Value per locale flags.

Common types in Avist

Identifier — unique SKU / code.
Text / Text area — names and descriptions.
Simple / multi select — controlled lists (Colour, Finish, Application).
Yes/No — boolean flags.
Number / Measurement / Price — numeric, unit-based, or monetary data.
Image / Image gallery / File — media and PDFs.
Date — calendar values.

Stone 3 example

Colour is a simple select in group Colour and Finish. Description is a text area with both Value per channel and Value per locale. Main Image is an image attribute in group General.

Codes vs labels

The code is the technical key used by imports and the API. The label is what editors see. Never rename codes lightly after products exist.

Related setup

Put attributes in an attribute group for a tidy form
Attach attributes to a family or they will not appear on products

How-to: Manage attributes.