> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.aristotlemetadata.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.aristotlemetadata.com/creating-and-editing/editing-content/recording-physical-data-types.md).

# Recording physical data types

Physical data refers to tangible sources of data such as hard drives and data warehouses. Physical data 'type' refers to the storage format of data in these sources; INT and VARCHAR are common examples of physical data types.

Data type metadata items can be recorded as physical data types against a distribution's data element paths.

## Prerequisites

Before being attached to a distribution, a physical data type must be created as a representative data type metadata item. See [here](/creating-and-editing/creating-metadata-items/creating-a-metadata-item-with-a-single-item-creation-wizard.md) for instructions for creating a data type.

## How to record physical data types

1. Navigate to the desired distribution, and select 'Open item editor' from its 'Actions' dropdown.

<figure><img src="/files/l5Po5VKyZtWHouZrLmPC" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Select the 'Components' tab.

<figure><img src="/files/KHA7j7y3X3Un2wLbl8OS" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Navigate to the 'Data Element Path' section, and select either of the following:
   * An existing data element path
   * 'Add' to create a new data element path.

<figure><img src="/files/gejMXIyanfx8lTc2QDoJ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Select a data type from the 'Physical Data Type' dropdown.

<figure><img src="/files/4sknNy4g4UYqanTz37Uq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Complete any other configurations as required, then select 'Save changes' when satisfied. The physical data type will appear in a 'Physical Data Type' column on the relevant distribution's item page.

<figure><img src="/files/C9FKqjRjwxKK2n96DdDx" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/9SXAyaCiYA2Z2FeZIeLS" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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