Learn how to configure inventory and parameters for your items, including attaching existing parameters, creating new parameters, managing attached parameters, editing parameters, detaching parameters, using parameters with inventory control, and setting up parameters for a group activity.
New to the Item Builder? You can read the first article in this series for an introduction to the Item Builder.
Which plans include this feature?
Legacy: Soho, Pro, Plus, Enterprise, Flex
New: Growth (Subscription), Growth (Online Booking Fee), Managed
→ Learn more about our new plans or how to change your plan.
Where can I find this feature using the top menu?
Inventory > Items > Add New/Edit Item > Attributes
What more do I need to use this feature?
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Admin or restricted permissions to View items, products, and assets and Manage items, products, and assets.
Which Checkfront version supports this feature - classic, new or both?
- Your account must have access to items (Inventory > Items), a key feature of our classic version of Checkfront.
New to Checkfront - Products ✨ With our newest version of Checkfront, we have added Products (Inventory > Products) as the successor to items (Inventory > Items). Are you interested in migrating to our newest version? Please reach out to our Technical Support team for more information. |
Attributes Overview
Back to topThe Attributes screen is where you configure the general availability of your item through Attributes such as Inventory, Parameters, Allocation, and Visibility.
Configuring inventory
Back to topThe following settings determine whether you have limits on your inventory numbers and, if so, what overall inventory number you have available for the item.
Are you searching for how to configure Product inventory instead? Learn more here: |
Adding base inventory
Back to topThe base inventory count represents the total inventory you have for the item.
This number can be further allocated using Parameters if you have more complex needs, such as inventory and pricing based on age categories.
Alternatively, you can utilize more advanced configurations (e.g. aliased items or product groupings), for example, if you depend on Staff and equipment.
Base Inventory Examples
Back to topHere are some examples from the most common verticals for businesses that use Checkfront. Further dependencies, such as Staff and equipment, are addressed with advanced configurations but are included below to add context and illustrate how they are configured separately from your base Inventory.
Vertical | Examples | Base Inventory | Representing | Further Dependencies (configured separately) |
Tours |
Walking Tours | 10 | Walkers | Tour Leads |
Activities |
Kayaking lessons | 6 | Kayakers | Kayaks, paddles and life jackets |
Rentals |
Bicycle rentals | 50 | Cyclists | Bicycles and helmets |
Accommodations |
Rental rooms |
12 | Guests | Rooms |
Enabling unlimited inventory
Back to topIf you do not have specific limitations on the availability of your item, click on the Unlimited Inventory button to turn ON this feature.
Turning ON Unlimited Inventory disables Inventory tracking and management of Inventory for this item via the Inventory Calendar. |
Introduction to Using Parameters (Video)
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Are you searching for the equivalent of parameters for Products instead? Learn more here: |
Configuring parameters
Back to topParameters determine how your inventory is allocated and then priced. For example, you may offer tours or activities and need to sell spaces by age (Senior $25.00, Adult $30.00, Youth $15.00 and Child $10.00). Parameters make this happen!
- By default, you need a minimum of one required booking parameter.
- Each parameter has several settings that determine how the parameter behaves depending on how your business allocates and prices inventory. We describe this in more detail below.
- Items can share parameters. You don't have to duplicate parameters if they share the same configuration settings. This becomes clearer as you learn more about parameters, how they work with other features, and your offerings.
- You can attach an existing parameter, as we provide several default options, or you can create a new one!
Let's start by looking at some existing default parameters.
Attaching an Existing Parameter
Back to topClick on the button to Attach an existing Parameter to view our list of default Parameters. Any custom Parameters already created within your account are listed here, too.
Default Parameters
Back to topYou can select from the list of parameters and then attach them to your item.
The default parameters represent some commonly used options QTY, Adult, Child, Youth, Senior, and Guest.
- QTY and Guest are often used independently of other parameters, whereas some combination of Adult, Child, Youth, and Senior are presented as a group of options to select from.
- By default, these parameters are set with Controls Inventory enabled (ON) so that inventory is automatically deducted from the base inventory when Customers select matching options.
- Defaults are also configured with Sets Pricing enabled (ON). Pricing is configured under the Pricing tab within the Item Builder- the next step in configuring or editing your item!
- Price Range is enabled by default (ON) for all default parameters except Qty, as this displays the price range to Customers when multiple price points are configured. (e.g. $15.00 Child - $30.00 Adult)
- Visibility is set to Everyone by default, meaning the option is visible to both Customers and Staff.
You can edit the parameters once you attach the parameter to your item.
The full list of existing booking parameters can be viewed and edited within the Configuration tab of Setup under the Manage menu for those with the applicable permissions. Learn more here: |
Creating parameters
Back to topTo create a parameter, click on the + Create a Parameter button.
Configuring settings within the Create Parameter modal
Back to topConfigure parameter settings to suit your business needs. The options within the Create Parameter modal are described below. Click Save to add the new parameter to your attached list once configured.
Features | ||
Name |
Label to be displayed on your booking page, e.g. Adult. This is also what displays in reports. | |
Default Value |
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Default parameter quantity when making a booking. If you enter 3 here, the booking quantity is preset to 3 when a Customer goes to book the item. |
Pricing |
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Enables a price for the parameter when creating or editing an item. |
Range |
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If there are multiple price points for the item, show this value in a range (e.g. $99 Child – $189 Adult). |
Controls Inventory |
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Determines if the parameter removes the selected value from the item's inventory or not. So, if 2 Adults are booked, your item's inventory is reduced by 2. |
Required |
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If enabled, this ensures that a value from this parameter must be selected. |
Visibility |
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Customers and Staff:The parameter is visible to both Customers and Staff members. Staff Only:The parameter is not visible in the public booking portals but can be seen by a Staff member when booking through the backend. Hidden to All:The parameter does not display to either the Customers or the Staff when making a booking. Instead, the default value is enforced behind the scenes. This is a very powerful option for Advanced Configurations for assigning Inventory automatically.
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Managing attached parameters
Back to topOnce you create a new parameter, you can further modify the parameter from the list of attached parameters.
Some settings only impact the item in focus, while others have a global impact if other Items share the Parameter. See the description for each setting below.
Features | ||
Controls Inventory |
Any parameters listed under this subheader pull from configured inventory - whether limited or unlimited.
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- Limited |
If a base inventory number is specified, then that number is reflected in the subheader, e.g. 1.
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- Unlimited |
If the inventory is set to Unlimited inventory, then Unlimited is displayed.
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Doesn't Control Inventory |
If the parameter is not configured to control inventory, then it is listed separately from those parameters that do control inventory.
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Name |
The name of the parameter and the value that displays to Customers and within reports.
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Shared |
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Indicates that inventory is Shared with any other Parameters listed under Controls Inventory.
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Visibility |
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This reflects the current value of the visibility setting of the parameter.
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Min per Booking |
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This field enables you to set the minimum required quantity for the parameter. For example, you could specify that there is a minimum of 1 Adult required for the booking.
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Max per Booking |
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This field enables you to set the maximum required quantity for the parameter. For example, you could limit the number of Guests to 10.
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Details |
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The Details column houses the option to edit the parameter or detach it by choosing that option from the drop-down. |
Editing parameters
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Editing parameters warning When editing the parameter, consider whether you are changing a global setting. The changes you make to global settings impact how shared parameters display and behave. For example, changing the parameter's name changes the name for all items that share that parameter from the Customer Booking Page to reports. Booking Invoices do retain their original values as a snapshot in time of what was booked unless the Booking Invoice itself is edited. Ideally, you do all your edits to parameters before you accept any bookings. Please reach out to Technical Support with your intentions before doing so mid-season to get some advice and avoid issues.
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Detaching parameters
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Detaching parameters warning You can add and remove parameters as needed, but ideally, you do this before you have accepted bookings. Booking Invoices do retain their original values as a snapshot in time of what was booked unless the Booking Invoice itself is edited. If you detach a parameter, you can still report on previously associated bookings. Please reach out to support@checkfront.com with your intentions before doing so mid-season to get some advice and avoid issues.
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Removing parameters
Back to top
Remove ParameterResist the urge to remove (Manage > Setup > Configurations > Booking Parameters) any parameters, as this does remove access to the associated data in reports and is permanent. |
Advanced Use of Parameters with Inventory Control (Video)
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Setting Up Parameters for a Group Activity (Video)
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