In ABRA Flexi, we divide links between documents (and, by extension, records) into two types: the automatically created standard link and the user link. Flexi creates the first type, the standard link, automatically when a process is performed on a document – for example, when creating an invoice from an order. There are many more such cases, though.
However, you may need to connect documents that are not directly related by default, and you need to create the link manually so that the documents can be traced to each other. This is exactly what user links are for.
If you are looking for documentation for the desktop application, continue to this link. A user link can also be created via the API. If you are interested, see our documentation.
Manually Created User Link
User Link Types
As the first step, to keep user links organized and categorized, we define the so-called User Link Types. You can access them using the smart assistant or through the company settings by following Settings → Records → Texts, Labels, Templates → User Link Types.
Here we specify which modules we will create the link (or multiple links) between. As a sample scenario, we will use a link between a received order and an issued invoice.
We continue by clicking the New button in the upper right corner of the module.
A side form for the new user link type opens.
Fields explained:
Name: The name of the user link type
Abbreviation: A unique identifier of the user link type
Automatically created link: Specifies whether the link between records should be created automatically. If you want to create such a link, continue to the next chapter of this documentation.
Primary places of use: The default (primary) module from which the user link will be created. Select the module using the Select button, which opens the Module Selection dialog.
Secondary places of use: The secondary module to which the link will be created from the primary module. However, the link can also be created from the secondary place of use, provided that its visibility is enabled (see the item below).
Visible from secondary record: Specifies whether the link should also be visible from the counterpart's side, that is, from the secondary module.
Once everything is set according to your requirements, save the user link type (the Save and Close button) and proceed to creating the user link itself – these are divided into manual and automatic.
Creating a Link
In our scenario, we want to create a user link between a received order and an issued invoice. So we go to the Received Orders module. For the relevant order, click the three-dot icon at the end of the row and select Show links.
Go to the User Links tab and select Create link.
When creating a user link, select its type and module (which is based on the configured secondary place of use). You can optionally add a description or note to the link. Continue by clicking the Continue button.
All that remains is to select the issued invoice (that is, the counterpart) that you want to link to the order, and confirm by clicking Create 1 selected record.
This creates the user link. You can create multiple links for a single document, and you will find them all in one place – on the User Links tab above the relevant record, in this case the received order. For each link, you can see its type, the linked document (the Abbreviation column shows the document number and Name shows the company), the module, the date, the amount, and the description entered.
Automatically Created User Link
We are currently preparing the option to create automatic links in the web interface. However, they can be created from the desktop application.
FAQ
Are user links purely informational, or do they affect system logic?
User links are for record-keeping purposes only.
They have no effect on:
accounting,
stock movements,
automatic data transfers,
document checks or validations.
They serve exclusively for overview and traceability.
Are user links carried over when a document is copied?
No, they are not. The logic behind links is as follows:
Copying a document → links are not carried over
Manually creating a link → the link remains only between the original records
This prevents unintended chaining of links.
Can user links be created between any modules?
For manually created user links, yes. A link can be created between any supported modules, for example:
invoice ↔ order
order ↔ business case
invoice ↔ internal document
asset card ↔ contract
The condition is that the module supports links as such. An automatic link can only be created on modules that have a common linking field.