Updating Container Dimensions in SPEC

After you import your ASpace containers into SPEC, you will need to update the dimensions for all non-standard sized containers.

You will always need to update the extent in SPEC of the following containers:

• Volume (small)
• Volume (medium)
• Volume (large)
• Custom Box
• Custom Folder

In order to update the container extent, you must first navigate to the collection record, or to the individual object using the Object Barcode App. Then you can either open the specific object record you need to update, and edit the dimensions in the basic fields view, object view, or open the batch edit view.

Table of Contents

• How to Measure Non-Standard Containers
  • Measuring Custom Boxes
  • Measuring Custom Volumes and Phaseboxes
  • Measuring Custom Folders
• Updating Container Dimensions From Basic Fields in SPEC
• Updating Container Dimensions From Batch Edit in SPEC

How to Measure Non-Standard Containers

When measuring the dimensions of a custom or non-standard sized container, you will need to record the width, depth, and height of the object. In general the width of a box or volume is the smaller dimension and the depth is the longer dimension.

When calculating the dimensions of frames, measure in their display orientation. When looking at the frame head-on, the width is the distance from the left edge to the right edge. The depth is from top to bottom. The height is the thickness/front to back.

The examples below illustrate how to identify the width, depth, and height of archival containers. For further information on labeling, barcodding, and measuring containers, see Collection Management’s Visual Guide.

Measuring Custom Boxes

Measuring Custom Volumes and Phaseboxes

Measuring Custom Folders

Updating Container Dimensions From Basic Fields in SPEC

Scan the barcode of the object you wish to update into the Object Barcode App or Navigate to the object from the Collection Record.

You can open the Basic Fields tab by clicking on the container number, container type, barcode, or class from the object record screen. 

This will open the Basic Fields tab. Enter the Width, Depth, and Height in the fields circled below. Close the box by clicking on the X in the upper left.

Clicking the X will automatically save the dimensions and calculate the container’s extent. The extent field in the object record will also automatically be updated.

You can also update an object’s dimensions by clicking on the extent field. This will open up an object extent dialog box. Fill in the correct Height, Width, and Depth, then select the X to close the box. Your changes will automatically be saved and updated in the extent field in the object record.

Repeat these steps to update the extent for each non-standard sized container in your collection.

Updating Container Dimensions From Batch Edit in SPEC

If you have many extents to update, you can also do this from the Batch Edit view in SPEC To get to the Batch Edit view, navigate to the SPEC collection record and click on the number next to objects.

The Object Search screen will open. Select All next to where it says Batch Edit.

This will open the Batch Object Editor. Scroll to the right to view each object’s dimensions. You can edit the dimensions by typing in the Width, Depth, and Height for each object in the appropriate field.