> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rishvi.co.uk/linnworks/llms.txt).
> Use it to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Product variants
Product variants are used to give single products a variety of different characteristics and options for customers to choose from, such as size, style, or color.
Product variants allow a single product to have multiple characteristics or options for customers, such as size, style, or color. Variants can be managed through the product template, or via the **Product Variants** or **Attributes** pages in the **Sales** app.
**Example**
An apparel company sells a t-shirt with these variants:
- **Unisex Classic Tee**
- Color: Blue, Red, White, Black
- Size: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Here, the product template is **T-shirt**, and a specific variant is **T-shirt: Blue, S**.\
**Attributes** are categories like Color or Size, and **Values** are specific options like Blue or S.\
This combination creates 4 × 5 = 20 product variants, each with its own inventory, sales totals, and other records.
## **Enable Variants**
1. Navigate to **Sales ‣ Configuration ‣ Settings**.
2. Enable **Variants** under the **Product Catalog** section.
3. Click **Save**.
## **Attributes**
Attributes must exist before creating variants. Manage attributes at **Sales app ‣ Configuration ‣ Attributes**.
**Note:** Attribute order affects how they appear on the Product Configurator, POS dashboard, and eCommerce pages.
### **Creating a New Attribute**
1. Click **New** on the Attributes page.
2. Enter **Attribute Name** (e.g., Color, Size).
3. Select **Display Type** to define how customers see the attribute:
- **Pills**: Options appear as selectable buttons.
- **Radio**: Options appear as radio buttons.
- **Select**: Options appear in a dropdown.
- **Image**: Options display images.
- **Multi-checkbox**: Options allow multiple selections.
1. Set **Variant Creation**:
- **Instantly** – all variants created immediately.
- **Dynamically** – variants created when added to a sales order.
- **Never** – variant creation prevented; values act as informational.
**Important:** Multi-checkbox attributes must have Variant Creation set to **Never**.\
**Warning:** Variant Creation cannot be edited after the attribute is used.
1. Set **eCommerce Filter Visibility**: **Visible** or **Hidden**.
2. Optionally, select **eCommerce Category** to group related attributes.
3. Click the right arrow to edit the category details, including **Related Attributes** and their sequence.
### **Attribute Values**
1. Switch to the **Attribute Values** tab.
2. Click **Add a line**, enter the **Value**, and optionally check **Is custom value**.
#### **Color Values**
1. Choose **Color** as Display Type.
2. Click the blank circle in the **Color** column to open the HTML color selector.
3. Select a color using the slider or dropper icon, or upload a pattern image.
**Tip:** Attributes can also be created directly from the product form.
## **Product Variants**
1. Go to **Sales app ‣ Products ‣ Products**.
2. Open an existing product or create a new one.
3. Click the **Attributes & Variants** tab.
4. Click **Add a line**, select an **Attribute**, and choose the **Values**.
**Tip:** Attributes can be created on-the-fly via the **Create** or **Create and edit…** options in the dropdown.
### **Configure Variants**
Click **Configure** to view **Product Variant Values**, including:
- **Value**
- **HTML Color Index** (if applicable)
- **Value Price Extra** – additional price for this value
Use **Exclude for** to restrict specific variants from certain products.
### **Variants Smart Button**
When variants exist, a **Variants** smart button appears at the top of the product form. Clicking it displays all configured variant combinations.
## **Impact of Variants**
- **Barcode:** Each variant can have its own barcode/SKU.
- **Price:** Variant price = product template price + Value Price Extra.
- **Inventory:** Tracked per variant; product template shows total of all variants.
- **Manufacturing:** Single BoM can apply to multiple variants.
- **Picture:** Each variant can have its own image.
**Note:** Changes to the product template apply to all variants.
## **Adding/Removing Attributes**
- Adding or removing attributes updates variants.
- Variants used in orders are archived, while unused variants are deleted and recreated.
- Archived variants can be found via **Sales app ‣ Products ‣ Product Variants ‣ Archived filter**.
**Example:**\
Removing the “Material” attribute from motorcycle jackets archives sold variants, deletes unsold ones, and creates new variants with remaining attributes.