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Build a reference number from other fields

Combine two fields into one — vendor code plus invoice number into a single reference, say — the moment a document is filed, with a Content Capture trigger and a Merge Field Values action, so the combined value exists for searches, file names, and exports without anyone typing it.

Catalog administratorsContent Central 7.8+15 minutesVerified 2026-09-05

Before you begin

  • The document type has the two source fields and a text field to hold the result

When you're done, every newly filed document gets a reference field filled from two other fields — ACME-10442 from a vendor code and an invoice number — automatically, consistently, and searchable the moment it exists.

The planDocument type scope
  1. Trigger
    1. Content Capture › Content Captured in this Document TypeField Evaluation: Selected Field Has Value · Field: Invoice Number
  2. Action
    1. Content - Merge Field ValuesField to Match: Vendor Code · Field to Merge: Invoice Number · Separator Character: - · result written to the merge field
  3. Rule
    1. "Filed with invoice number → build reference", enabled

Build the trigger

  1. Go to Administration > Catalogs & Document Types, pick the Catalog and Document Type, click the Workflow tile, then Triggers > New Trigger.

  1. Type: Content Capture and Content Captured in this Document Type. Trigger Name: Filed with an invoice number.

  1. Field Evaluation: Selected Field Has Value, Field: the invoice number field — no point merging an empty value.

  1. Click Save.

Build the action

  1. Click Actions > New Action. Type: Content - Merge Field Values. Action Name: Build reference number.

  1. Set Field to Match to the first source field and Field to Merge to the second. The lists only offer fields of this document type; the second list hides whatever you chose in the first.

  1. Separator Character: choose how the two values are joined — a single character such as -, a space, or no separator.

  1. Click Save.

Note

Check which field receives the merged result on the action form before saving — the form names it explicitly. If your document type doesn't yet have a field for the result, add a text field under the Fields tile first, then come back.

Wire the rule

  1. Click Rules > New Rule. Rule Name: Filed with invoice number → build reference.

  1. Add Trigger: Filed with an invoice number. Add Action: Build reference number. Apply.

Test it

  1. File one document with a vendor code and an invoice number.

  1. Open its properties.

What you should see: the reference field holding the two values joined by your separator, and the rule in View History. Search for the combined value to confirm it's indexed.

Variations

Want this insteadChange this
Rebuild the reference if someone edits either source fieldTwo Content Field Values › Field Value Updated in this Document Type triggers (one per source field), each in a rule with the same action
Use the reference in the stored file name or folderThat's the document type's own naming rules: Folder and file building
Write a fixed prefix instead of a second fieldContent - Update Field with the literal value into the reference field first, then merge
Combine global fields shared across typesContent - Combine Global-Field Values
Produce a start–end range string from two numbersContent - Calculate Field-Value Range
A summary of every field's name and value in a memo fieldContent - Create Field Name and Value Summary