# Components

**URL:** <https://speciforum.org/t/components/2704>\
**Category:** Data Entry\
**Tags:** Specify-7, Members-only\
**Created:** [April 10, 2026, 2:00pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/components/2704 "2026-04-10T14:00:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/34f0e0/32.png) [@Elizabeth](https://speciforum.org/u/Elizabeth)\
**Post date:** [April 10, 2026, 2:00pm UTC](https://speciforum.org/t/components/2704/1 "2026-04-10T14:00:00Z")

</div>

> 📖 This guide explains what components are, how to manage them, and how to add them the Collection Object form.

**Components** allow for the granular classification and management of sub-parts within a single Collection Object.

While traditionally a Collection Object represents a single biological or geological entity, certain disciplines—such as Paleontology, Geology, or Mineralogy—often require a single cataloged object to contain multiple distinct items (e.g., a matrix containing a fossil, a rock, and a mineral).

Components address this by allowing you to attach multiple, distinct classifications (names) to a single Collection Object record, each with its own identity, determiner, and attributes.

The core power of the Component system is the relationship between **Type** and **Name**.

- **Type:** Defines what the component is (e.g., “Rock”, “Fossil”, “Mineral”).
- **Name:** Unlike standard text fields, this is linked directly to a **Taxon Tree**. The available names are dynamically filtered based on the selected _Type_.

For example, selecting “Fossil” as the Type will link the Name field to your biological taxonomy tree, whereas selecting “Mineral” might link it to a geological classification tree.

## Catalog Number

`Catalog Number` is a text field so any value can be put in and no format or uniqueness rules are required by default. Additionally, you can add inheritance to the catalog number where if the component catalog number field is left empty, it will use the catalog number of the collection object. This is off by default so to add it to your forms go to [Collection Preferences](https://speciforum.org/t/collection-preferences/3281) in User Tools and scroll down to the Components Section

 ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/specifysoftware/original/2X/6/649481f15267878173d7f3c76f9c1e6d9f923e46.png)

If a catalog number for a component is inherited the value will be grayed out with the `Collection Objects` catalog number as a placeholder, however, the field is still enabled, and a new value can be added at any point.

 ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/specifysoftware/original/2X/9/9de40d5609bf010c464870e61f7b3e5bff306470.png)

## Type

`Type` uses the [Collection Object Type](https://speciforum.org/t/collection-object-types/2227) picklist. The `Type` field in `components` only impacts which taxon tree is used for `Name` and does not impact what catalog number format is used for the component.

## Name

`Name` is a `querycombobox` for taxon that corresponds with the `Type` chosen. Any taxa from the taxon tree associated with the type can be used, or a new one can be added similar to how `Taxon` works in the `Determinations` table.

## Add Components to a Collection Object form

> [!note]  
> To learn more about form editing, form definitions, view definitions, and corresponding terminology, please review [Editing Forms in Specify 7](https://speciforum.org/t/editing-forms-in-specify-7/1557).

1. Navigate to the [Form Meta Menu](https://speciforum.org/t/form-meta-menu/844) on the Collection Object (CO) form

2. Click on **Form Definition**

3. Click **Edit Form Definition :linkout_:** to navigate directly to the CO view definition

4. Add the following lines to an existing row, or create a new row and add the lines there:

5. Click **Save**

6. Navigate to the CO form

7. See that there is now the “Components” subview on the form

8. Navigate to [Schema Config](https://speciforum.org/t/using-the-schema-config-in-specify-7/535) from the [User Tools](https://speciforum.org/t/user-tools-menu/536) menu

9. Select the appropriate language and then select **Collection Object**

10. Select the field `components` under the “Relationships” subheading

11. Uncheck the “Hide Field” checkbox for `components`  

12. Click **Save** and now it should appear in both the [Query Builder](https://speciforum.org/t/query-builder-in-specify-7/289) and the [WorkBench](https://speciforum.org/t/the-specify-7-workbench/540).