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

# Show Multiple Linked Items

> Configure a column to display multiple linked work items in a single cell using the `multiItemLink` column type, instead of showing only one link per cell.

export const LastReviewed = ({date}) => {
  if (!date) return null;
  const formatted = new Date(`${date}T00:00:00Z`).toLocaleDateString("en-US", {
    year: "numeric",
    month: "long",
    day: "numeric",
    timeZone: "UTC"
  });
  return <p className="mt-10 text-sm text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500 not-prose">
      Last reviewed on {formatted}
    </p>;
};

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose the Right Column Type">
    Nextedy RISKSHEET supports two link column types:

    | Column Type     | Behavior                                                                            |
    | --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | `itemLink`      | Displays a single linked work item per cell. Additional links are silently dropped. |
    | `multiItemLink` | Displays all linked work items as a formatted list within the cell.                 |

    Use `multiItemLink` when a risk item may have multiple upstream or downstream relationships of the same type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Multi-Item Link Column">
    Set the column `type` to `multiItemLink` in the sheet configuration (risksheet.json, editable via the YAML editor since v25.5.0):

    ```yaml theme={null}
    columns:
      - id: safetyRequirements
        bindings: safetyReq
        header: Safety Requirements
        type: multiItemLink
        width: 200
        typeProperties:
          linkRole: implements
          linkTypes: safetyRequirement,systemRequirement
    ```

    Each linked item appears as a separate entry in the cell with its ID and title displayed in a tooltip.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use typeProperties to Scope the Link">
    The `typeProperties` block on a `multiItemLink` column controls which work items can be linked and how the link is rendered. All six sub-properties are verified against production configs and KB article #48001173761:

    | Sub-property    | Type    | Description                                                                                                           |
    | --------------- | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | `linkRole`      | string  | Polarion link role connecting the risk item to the linked work item (e.g. `implements`, `verifies`).                  |
    | `linkTypes`     | string  | Comma-separated work item type IDs allowed in the autocomplete (e.g. `systemTestCase,softwareTestCase`).              |
    | `linkDirection` | string  | Set to `back` to traverse the link in reverse direction.                                                              |
    | `backLink`      | boolean | When true, renders the column as a back-link from the linked items' perspective.                                      |
    | `itemTemplate`  | string  | Velocity template that customises how each linked item is displayed in the cell.                                      |
    | `queryFactory`  | string  | Reference to a named function in `queryFactories` that returns a Lucene query for filtering autocomplete suggestions. |

    <Warning title="Use multiItemLink, Not itemLink">
      When you expect a cell to hold more than one linked work item, you must use `multiItemLink`. The `itemLink` type renders only one item per cell and silently drops additional links.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Control Item Creation">
    By default, `multiItemLink` columns allow users to create new items directly from the cell editor (`canCreate` defaults to `true`). To restrict the column to linking existing items only:

    ```yaml theme={null}
    columns:
      - id: testCases
        bindings: testCase
        header: Test Cases
        type: multiItemLink
        canCreate: false
        width: 200
        typeProperties:
          linkRole: verifies
          linkTypes: systemTestCase,softwareTestCase
    ```

    <Tip title="Duplicate Prevention">
      The multi-item link editor automatically prevents duplicate items. If you attempt to link the same work item twice, the selection is rejected and you receive a notification.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save New Items to a Specific Document">
    When creating new items through a `multiItemLink` column, specify the target project and document on the column's `typeProperties`:

    ```yaml theme={null}
    columns:
      - id: testCases
        bindings: testCase
        header: Test Cases
        type: multiItemLink
        width: 200
        typeProperties:
          linkRole: verifies
          linkTypes: systemTestCase
          project: TestProject
          document: Testing/Test Specification
    ```

    New items created from the autocomplete are stored in the specified document. To create items in the current document instead, use `createInCurrentDocument: true`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Editing Multi-Item Links

When you click on a `multiItemLink` cell, an autocomplete editor opens. You can:

* Type at least 3 characters to search for items by ID or title
* Select items from the dropdown to add them
* Remove items by clicking the remove button next to each entry
* Create new items (if `canCreate` is `true`) by typing a new title and selecting the creation option

<Note title="Error: This item is already linked">
  If you see the message "This item is already linked to selected row," it means the work item you are trying to link is already present in the cell. Each item can only appear once per cell.
</Note>

## Verification

Save the sheet configuration and reload your risksheet. You should now see the multi-item link column. Click on a cell to open the editor, search for items, and add multiple links. Each linked item should appear as a separate entry within the cell.

## See Also

* [Configure Upstream Traceability Columns](/risksheet/guides/columns/upstream-traceability) -- single upstream links
* [Configure Downstream Traceability Columns](/risksheet/guides/columns/downstream-traceability) -- downstream task links
* [Consolidate Multiple Link Columns](/risksheet/guides/columns/consolidate-link-columns) -- merge columns into one
* [Display Sub-Columns](/risksheet/guides/columns/sub-columns) -- show properties of linked items
* [Customize Link Rendering](/risksheet/guides/columns/custom-link-rendering) -- customize link display

<LastReviewed date="2026-06-08" />