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 # Link Records

 Last update: 16.07.2025 

Create and edit smart and static links between records.

## Create a new record

Connect to MI and get a database and table.

```python
from datetime import datetime
from GRANTA_MIScriptingToolkit import granta as mpy

mi = mpy.connect('http://my.server.name/mi_servicelayer', autologon=True)
db = mi.get_db(db_key='MI_Training')
tab = db.get_table('Training Exercise for Import')

```

Create a new record in the subset *Materials*.

```python
now = datetime.now().strftime("%c")
recordName = 'STK Example 16:{}'.format(now)
rec = tab.create_record(recordName, subsets={'Materials'})

```

## Smart links

A smart link is configured in this database to link records with matching values for the attribute *Base*. Setting a value for *Base* on the new record will link it to all existing records with the same value for that attribute.

Set the value of *Base* to *Oxide*, then write the changes to MI. At this point, the new record is created on the server.

```python
base = rec.attributes['Base']
base.value = 'Oxide'
rec.set_attributes([base])
rec = mi.update([rec])[0]

```

View the smart links that have just been created to the new record.

```python
rec.links

```

*Previous cell output:*

```output
{'MaterialUniverse': set(),
 'Smart Link to MaterialUniverse': {<Record long name: Alumino silicate - 1720>,
  <Record long name: Alumino silicate - 1723>,
  <Record long name: Barium silicate>,
  <Record long name: Lithium aluminosilicate>,
  <Record long name: Soda barium glass>}}

```

## Static links

A static link can be created between two existing records, including cross-database.

Get a record from *MaterialUniverse* to link to your newly-created record.

```python
mu_rec = db.get_record_by_id(hguid='bf5e6054-6cad-4c9d-ad7a-adfa124c504b')

```

Add the *MaterialUniverse* record to the link group on the new record.

```python
new_linked_recs = rec.links['MaterialUniverse']
new_linked_recs.add(mu_rec)
rec.set_links('MaterialUniverse', new_linked_recs)

```

Write your changes to MI (use `update_links()` for changes to links, not `update()`).

```python
rec = mi.update_links([rec])[0]

```

View your new link on the list of record links.

```python
print(rec.links)

```

*Previous cell output:*

```output
{'MaterialUniverse': {<Record long name: Soda barium glass>}, 'Smart Link to MaterialUniverse': {<Record long name: Alumino silicate - 1720>, <Record long name: Soda barium glass>, <Record long name: Lithium aluminosilicate>, <Record long name: Barium silicate>, <Record long name: Alumino silicate - 1723>}}

```

## Associated Records

Associated Records are a way of traversing tabular links multiple steps at a time. This example finds all materials impacted by a certain legislation by building an associated record chain between three tables.

First define the starting table and record. The association chain starts on the relevant record in the *Legislations and Lists* table.

```python
starting_table = db.get_table('Legislations and Lists')
starting_record = starting_table.get_record_by_lookup_value('Legislation ID', 'Candidate_AnnexXV')

```

Next, set the tabular attribute that forms the first step in the chain. In this case, it is the tabular attribute that links the *Restricted Substances* table to the *Legislations and Lists* table.

```python
rs_table = db.get_table('Restricted Substances')
first_step = rs_table.attributes['Legislations restricting its use']

```

Then set the tabular attribute that forms the second step in the chain: *Restricted substances associated with this material*.

```python
materialuniverse_table = db.get_table('MaterialUniverse')
second_step = materialuniverse_table.attributes['Restricted substances associated with this material']

```

Finally, use the `get_associated_records()` method on the `starting_record` **Record** object to extract the records at the end of the association chain.

```python
associated_records = starting_record.get_associated_records(materialuniverse_table,
                                                   link_direction='Reverse',
                                                   attribute_path=[first_step, second_step])
associated_records

```

*Previous cell output:*

```output
[<Record long name: PVC-elastomer (Shore A35)>,
 <Record long name: Barium silicate>]

```