Domain-Based Attributes (Master Data Services)
Applies to: 
SQL Server - Windows only
Azure SQL Managed Instance
In Master Data Services, a domain-based attribute is an attribute with values that are populated by members from another entity. You can think of a domain-based attribute as a constrained list; domain-based attributes prevent users from entering attribute values that are not valid. To select an attribute value, the user must pick from a list.
Domain-Based Attribute Example
In the following image, the Product entity has a domain-based attribute called Subcategory. The Subcategory attribute is populated by values from the Subcategory entity.
The Subcategory entity has a domain-based attribute called Category. The Category attribute is populated by values from the Category entity.
Use Same Entity for Multiple Domain-Based Attributes
You can use the same entity as a domain-based attribute of multiple entities. For example, you can create an entity called YesNoIndicator with the members: Yes, No, and Maybe. You can create a domain-based attribute named InStock and use the YesNoIndicator entity as the source. You can also create another domain-based attribute named Approved and use the YesNoIndicator entity as a source. Any time you want users to choose from a list of the YesNoIndicator entity's members, you can use the entity as a domain-based attribute.
Domain-Based Attributes Form Derived Hierarchies
Domain-based attribute relationships are the basis for derived hierarchies. For more information, see Derived Hierarchies (Master Data Services).
Related Tasks
| Task Description | Topic |
|---|---|
| Create a new domain-based attribute that is sourced from an existing entity. | Create a Domain-Based Attribute (Master Data Services) |
| Create a new entity. | Create an Entity (Master Data Services) |