> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.attio.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Select

> An option from a predefined list

Select attributes are a constrained input type, where the user must pick from a predefined list.

Company has several select attributes (they are mostly [enriched attributes](https://attio.com/help/reference/data-and-syncing/enriched-data)): `categories`, `estimated_arr_usd` and `employee_range`. `strongest_connection_strength` is also available on both person and company.

Attio provides a [separate API for managing the select options available](/rest-api/endpoint-reference/attributes/list-select-options).

Select attributes may be either single-select or multi-select. In the API, these two variants are represented using the same underlying type, select. However, in web and mobile clients, users will see these attributes as two separate types: select and multi-select.

Please note that select attributes cannot be configured to be unique.

### Reading values

Select attribute values have an `option` property, which is an object describing which select option was used:

<CodeGroup>
  ```jsonc Example: 3 out of 5 stars theme={"system"}
  {
    "active_from": "2023-04-03T15:21:06.447000000Z",
    "active_until": null,
    "created_by_actor": {
      /*...*/
    },
    "attribute_type": "select",
    "option": {
      "id": {
        "workspace_id": "4f9a01be-3792-4ab9-926f-ca7f9005700c",
        "object_id": "5f1feef5-fe73-4c0e-9d97-5b0a96a7d32b",
        "attribute_id": "a4977b52-d367-4e28-a671-b5c4fa401fc5",
        "option_id": "14938464-cae9-4e50-8856-0fb584844f24"
      },
      "title": "Aerospace & Defense",
      "is_archived": false
    }
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Writing values

You can find a list of available options using the [list select options](/rest-api/endpoint-reference/attributes/list-select-options) API.

To write select values, pass the title of the select option as a string. If it's a multi-value select attribute, you'll need to pass an array.

You can also pass an object with an `option` property, which references either the `option_id` or the `title` of the select option.

If you attempt to write a value where the ID or title cannot be found, you will receive an error rather than create a new select option.

<CodeGroup>
  ```json Using string theme={"system"}
  {
    "categories": ["3D Printing"]
  }
  ```

  ```json Multiple values theme={"system"}
  {
    "categories": ["3D Printing", "Architecture"]
  }
  ```

  ```json Using object (title) theme={"system"}
  {
    "categories": [
      {
        "option": "3D Printing"
      }
    ]
  }
  ```

  ```json Using object (option_id) theme={"system"}
  {
    "categories": [
      {
        "option": "14938464-cae9-4e50-8856-0fb584844f24"
      }
    ]
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Filtering

Select attributes can be filtered by equality, using either the implicit syntax or the explicit one:

<CodeGroup>
  ```json Finding companies in the "Aerospace & Defense" category theme={"system"}
  {
    "filter": {
      "categories": "Aerospace & Defense"
    }
  }
  ```

  ```json ... with an option ID instead theme={"system"}
  {
    "filter": {
      "categories": {
        "option": {
          "$eq": "Aerospace & Defense"
        }
      }
    }
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

It's also possible to use `$or` to find records which match one of several categories:

<CodeGroup>
  ```json Find Companies in one of many categories theme={"system"}
  {
    "filter": {
      "$or": [{"categories": "Aerospace & Defense"}, {"categories": "Biotechnology"}]
    }
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

Select attributes can also be filtered based on when they were modified, using the `active_from` property. This allows automations based on when the attribute was changed. This filter supports the `$lt`, `$lte`, `$gt`, `$gte` operators:

<CodeGroup>
  ```json Finding companies where the category was changed this week theme={"system"}
  {
    "filter": {
      "categories": {
        "active_from": {
          "$gte": "2023-11-20"
        }
      }
    }
  }
  ```

  ```json ... where the category was not changed this year theme={"system"}
  {
    "filter": {
      "categories": {
        "active_from": {
          "$lt": "2023-01-01"
        }
      }
    }
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>