What is an Entity Reference?

Across the site, there are some fields you may be required to update that function as “entity references,” rather than free-form text entry. These fields are indicated by a small gray circle at the end of the field.

One example is when a faculty name is entered. Faculty all have individual entries in a “database,” and using an “entity reference” ensures that the content and the faculty member are associated with each other in the CMS.

Entity references are auto-complete fields. To enter Ruth Wasem in this field, you could begin typing her last name. The gray circle will turn blue and spin, then a list of options will appear in a drop-down below. You would then select “Wasem, Ruth E.” The number in the paragraphs next to her name is a “node ID number,” which is the unique identification of her as a piece of data within the CMS.

You don’t need to pay attention to the node number, but its appearance there is an indication that you’ve effectively chosen an active node in the CMS.