Set up Matrix Items in Multi-Location Management

Description: Learn how to create Attribute Groups and Values and configure a Matrix Item to replace multiple menu buttons with a single, guided ordering flow for the Workstation on Shift4 Dine.

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Note: This feature is currently available only for Pilot users.

Before You Begin

A Matrix Item is a special item type that presents staff with a guided series of prompts instead of a fixed price. The underlying Standard Items you want to link must already exist in Multi-Location Management before starting setup.

Matrix Items are configured by corporate/enterprise administrators in Multi-Location Management. Individual locations cannot create their own Matrix Items, Attribute Groups, or Attribute Values; these are managed at the enterprise level and pushed down to locations.

Phase 1: Create Attribute Groups and Values

Attribute Groups (categories of choices, like "Size" or "Crust") and their Attribute Values (Medium - 12, Thin Crust, etc.) are managed in a dedicated section in Multi-Location Management and only need to be created once. They can be reused across any number of Matrix Items.

1. Log in to Multi-Location Management and go to Shift4 Dine > Menu > Matrix Attributes.
2. Select + Add Matrix Attribute Group and give it a name that describes the category of choice you want to present to staff, such as "Size" or "Crust."
   
   
3. Within the Attribute Group, add the individual values staff will choose from. Set the display order, so choices appear in a logical sequence on the Workstation, for example, "Personal (8")" before "Medium (12")" before "Large (16")."
   
4. Repeat Steps 2–3 for each Attribute Group you need. 

Important: Attribute Values are unique to their own group and are not shared between groups.

Phase 2: Create the Matrix Item

4. Go to Menu > Items and select Add Item. When prompted to select an item type, choose Matrix Item.
5. Configure the Matrix Item details. Fill in the following fields:
   • Name: The button label staff will see on the Workstation menu (e.g., BYO Pizza)
   • Department: Determines where the Matrix Item appears on the Workstation menu
   • Revenue Class: Used for menu organization only; Matrix Items do not directly report sales
   • Active: Toggle on to make the item available
   • Item Color, Favorite, Display Groups, and Item Description are also supported. 
     Note: The following fields do not apply to Matrix Items and will not be shown: price, modifier sets, taxes, surcharges, discounts, coursing, kitchen/Kitchen Display System print routing, and item tracking.
     
6. Scroll down to the Item Matrix section. Link your Standard Items to the Matrix Item and assign attribute values to each one.
   1. Select Add Attribute Group to add your first attribute column (e.g., Size). You can add up to 3 Attribute Groups per Matrix Item, and the order you add them determines the order prompts appear on the Workstation.
   2. Select Add Item or + Manage Items to add single or multiple Standard Items to the table. Only Standard Items not already linked to another Matrix Item are available. 
   3. If an Attribute Value appears in the item name, the system will intelligently auto-match the appropriate Attribute Value with the relevant item. For any values that aren't auto-matched, select the appropriate Attribute Value from the dropdown in each attribute column.
   4. Repeat until all variations are mapped.
      

Keep these rules in mind as you build the table:

• No two items can share the same combination of attribute values; each combination must resolve to exactly one item.
• Every row must have a value assigned for every configured Attribute Group; incomplete rows cannot be saved.
• A Standard Item can only be linked to one Matrix Item at a time.
• Matrix Items support a maximum of 3 Attribute Groups.

7. Select Save. Changes sync to the Workstations at the assigned location(s). 

Once saved, linked Standard Items are automatically hidden from the department menu on the Workstation. They remain searchable by name or SKU, but staff will primarily access them through the Matrix Item prompts.

Related Articles

• To learn how to use Matrix Items on the Workstation, visit the Use Matrix Items article.
• For help with common Matrix Item issues, visit the Matrix Items Troubleshooting article.