What is System Attribute

A system attribute is a predefined field in a software system. They’re used to store core product information (like your product name, SKU, or ID) and typically can’t be renamed or deleted. Whilst some are required, others may be optional. They act as a foundation for organizing, managing, and exporting product data consistently across tools, channels, and platforms.

A brief history

As digital product information management matured, it became clear that certain fields (like product names, IDs, or prices) were essential, no matter what industry or system you were using.

It became standard practice to pre-load these fields into tools like PIMs or ERP systems as “system attributes” to help make sure every product had a baseline amount of essential data.

Good to know

You normally can’t delete or customize system attributes, but that’s by design. They keep your product data anchored to a reliable structure, which is especially useful when it comes to sharing it across multiple platforms and markets.

Know more

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a system attribute and a custom attribute?
System attributes are built into the software and normally can’t be deleted or renamed. Custom attributes are created by users to capture product details specific to their business, such as “Material” or “Country of Origin.”
Does Plytix have system attributes?
Yes, Plytix has several system attributes, like “SKU”, “GTIN”, “Product ID”, and “Thumbnail,” which are included in your PIM by default. They are easily identified by the purple "SYS" you’ll see before the attribute name. Whilst you can’t delete them from your account or rename them, the only required attribute is “SKU”; the other system attributes are optional, and you’re free to leave them empty.
Can system attributes be used in product feeds or catalogs?
Absolutely. Since they store essential data, system attributes are commonly used in product feeds, spec sheets, and brand portals to keep information consistent across outputs.
Are system attributes customizable in any way?
You normally can’t change the name or data type of a system attribute, but in many platforms (including Plytix), you can choose where and how they appear, for example, whether you include them in views, filters, and exports.