What is a Recipe Input Attribute?
In the Uncountable platform, a recipe input attribute is a characteristic unique to an ingredient within a specific recipe (aka a recipe-specific attribute). These attributes, defined on the Recipe Definition page (accessible through the Form Admin), are used to store important details specific to each ingredient that are not stored on a lot and may change over time.
Recipe input attribute values are not calculated within the platform. Instead, they are manually entered for each ingredient. If the recipe input attribute value is numeric, it can then be utilized in calculations.
For example, percent solids could be made into a recipe-inputs attribute that shows how much of an ingredient is made up of solids. In certain scenarios, users may want to adjust this slightly recipe to recipe, versus taking the “standard” or default value stored as a normal attribute.
Other examples of recipe input attributes include:
- Density: Describes the mass per unit volume of the ingredient
- Toxicity Level: Measures the potential harmful effects of the ingredient
- % Active: Similar to % solids, but for active components
Creating a Recipe Input Attribute
To create a new recipe input attribute, first navigate to the Form Admin page. Access the Command Center (“Command” + “K”) and type “Form Admin”.
From the Form Admin page, select the Definitions tab, and search for “recipe ingredient”. Click on the “Recipe Ingredient” definition to open the “Create New Field” modal.
In the Create New Field modal, assign a name for the attribute. In this example, we will use percent solids. Next, select “Number” from the Type dropdown menu before clicking “Add Field”.
Note: It is essential to specify “Number” as the type in order to use the attribute in calculations.
The new recipe input attribute has been created and will be visible on the Enter Recipe page.
Adding a Recipe Input Attributes
To use a recipe input attribute, head to the “Enter Recipe” page of the experiment. Open the Help tab of the toolbar at the top of the page and search “recipe”. Then open the “Select Recipe Input Attributes” modal.
Select the newly created recipe input attribute from the dropdown menu and click “Submit”.
After adding the recipe input attribute, it will appear in a new column on the “Enter Recipe” page. The cells in the column will be blank.
The user can then manually enter values into each cell for each ingredient. Once all relevant data has been entered, these attribute values can be used in calculations.
Using Recipe Input Attributes in Calculations
To use a recipe input attribute in a calculation, click the “+ Add Calculations” button from the Enter Recipe page.
From the “Add New Calculations” window, select a weight from the “Select Weights” dropdown menu (Object 1). In this example, we are using Density. Next, click the gear icon next to the weight to open the “Change Calculation Component” modal.
Next, select “Recipe Input Attribute” from the attributes dropdown menu (Object A). Then select your attribute from the adjacent menu (Object B) and submit.
Returning to the “Add New Calculations” modal, name the calculation and add any additional information needed before submitting.
The new calculation, incorporating the recipe input attribute values, will now be visible on the Enter Recipe page within the “Calculations” section.