# Admin Guide: Configuring Automatic Subjects

This guide explains how admins define **subject patterns** for work package types, ensuring clear, automated titles.

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End of the deletion ## Begin of the insertion1\.End of the insertion Begin of the deletion 1.End of the deletion Introduction

Subject patterns embed Begin of the insertionplaceholders, likeEnd of the insertion Begin of the deletion placeholders—likeEnd of the deletion `[Author]` or `[Custom Field: Invoice Begin of the insertionID]`, intoEnd of the insertion Begin of the deletion ID]`—intoEnd of the deletion titles. Users creating or editing work packages see subjects auto-generated from these patterns, promoting consistency and clarity.

> **Tip:** See the [User Guide on Automatic Begin of the insertionSubjects](https://community.openproject.org/#)End of the insertion Begin of the deletion Subjects](#)End of the deletion for the Begin of the insertionuser'sEnd of the insertion Begin of the deletion user'sEnd of the deletion perspective.

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End of the deletion ## Begin of the insertion2\.End of the insertion Begin of the deletion 2.End of the deletion Adding, Changing, and Deleting Attributes

### 2.1 Adding Attributes

1. Begin of the insertion End of the insertion Go to **Administration → Work Package Types**, select a type, then open **Subject configuration**. Begin of the insertion

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End of the deletion 2. Begin of the insertion End of the insertion Type `/` in the text field to activate attribute search. Begin of the insertion

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End of the deletion 3. Begin of the insertion End of the insertion Start typing an attribute name (e.g., “start date”); select it from the dropdown to insert a pill (e.g., `[Start date]`). Begin of the insertion


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End of the deletion ### 2.2 Changing Attributes

Begin of the insertion* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion -End of the deletion Click directly into an existing pill. It becomes editable, triggering the attribute search. Begin of the insertion

* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion
-End of the deletion Type the new attribute name and select from the dropdown. The pill updates immediately. Begin of the insertion


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End of the deletion ### 2.3 Deleting Attributes

Begin of the insertion* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion -End of the deletion Remove the pill as you would regular text (e.g., using backspace). Begin of the insertion


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End of the deletion ## Begin of the insertion3\.End of the insertion Begin of the deletion 3.End of the deletion Supported Values and Display

Patterns support concise attributes suitable for subjects:

Begin of the insertion* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion -End of the deletion **Standard fields**: Author, Start date, Finish date, Status, Priority Begin of the insertion

* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion
-End of the deletion **User fields**: Assignee, Accountable Begin of the insertion

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-End of the deletion **Version and Category** Begin of the insertion

* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion
-End of the deletion **Custom fields**: Short text, integer, lists (long text and multi-select excluded) Begin of the insertion

* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion
-End of the deletion **Project attributes**: Project name, Project identifier Begin of the insertion


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End of the deletion Unsupported attributes (long texts or multi-selects) won’t appear in search results.

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End of the deletion ## Begin of the insertion4\.End of the insertion Begin of the deletion 4.End of the deletion Limitations

Begin of the insertion* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion -End of the deletion **Multi-select and long text fields** are not supported. Begin of the insertion

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-End of the deletion Referencing unavailable attributes or empty fields results in **“N/A”**. Begin of the insertion

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-End of the deletion Attributes from a parent or project update only when the child work package is saved. Begin of the insertion


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End of the deletion ## Begin of the insertion5\.End of the insertion Begin of the deletion 5.End of the deletion When Does the Subject Update?

Subjects regenerate automatically whenever referenced attributes change in the **current work package** upon saving. Changes to attributes in the **parent or project** require updating and saving the child work package again to refresh the subject.

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End of the deletion ## Begin of the insertion6\.End of the insertion Begin of the deletion 6.End of the deletion “N/A” in Subjects

“N/A” appears when:

Begin of the insertion* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion -End of the deletion A referenced attribute is empty. Begin of the insertion

* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion
-End of the deletion No parent is set (if parent attributes are referenced). Begin of the insertion

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-End of the deletion Referenced attributes don’t exist for the parent’s type. Begin of the insertion

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-End of the deletion Attributes aren’t activated for the project. Begin of the insertion


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End of the deletion Filling or enabling these attributes and saving the work package replaces **“N/A”** with actual values.

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End of the deletion ## Begin of the insertion7\.End of the insertion Begin of the deletion 7.End of the deletion Choosing Effective Patterns

Begin of the insertion* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion -End of the deletion **Be concise**: Limit placeholders to essential attributes (date, ID, author). Begin of the insertion

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-End of the deletion **Clear labels**: Use short descriptions indicating work package type. Begin of the insertion

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-End of the deletion **Start simple**: Begin with common or critical tasks (Invoices, Vacation Requests). Begin of the insertion


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End of the deletion For examples, refer to [Example Subject Begin of the insertionPatterns](https://community.openproject.org/#).End of the insertion Begin of the deletion Patterns](#).End of the deletion

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End of the deletion ## Begin of the insertion8\.End of the insertion Begin of the deletion 8.End of the deletion Further Reading

Begin of the insertion* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion -End of the deletion [User Guide on Automatic Begin of the insertionSubjects](https://community.openproject.org/#)

* End of the insertion Begin of the deletion Subjects](#)
-End of the deletion [Tips on Writing Effective Begin of the insertionPatterns](https://community.openproject.org/#)


End of the insertion Begin of the deletion Patterns](#)

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End of the deletion **Summary:**
Automatic subject patterns simplify work package identification by standardizing titles. Choose concise attributes carefully, maintain simplicity, and clearly communicate the benefits to your users.