What is a slug?

In Good Grants, a slug is a short, unique reference code used to identify a resource.

It looks like this: QrXJzmNX

The term comes from web publishing, where a slug identifies a specific page or resource. In Good Grants, slugs:

• Are exactly eight characters long
• Contain a random mix of upper and lower case letters
• Uniquely identify resources such as applications, fields, users, categories and tabs

They act as a short, secure pseudonym for a record in the system.

Where to find slugs

Field slug

1. Each field has its own slug.
2. In the Manage workspace, go to Applications
3. Click Edit form and choose your form
4. Hover over the field and click the settings icon
5. Open the 'Advanced' section
6. Copy the slug

Application slug

Each application has a unique slug. You can find it:

• In the application URL (the eight-character code)
• In the Applications list view by enabling the 'Slug' column

To show the slug column:

1. In the Manage workspace, go to Applications
2. Click the cog icon at the top of the list
3. Tick Slug

How to use slugs

Notifications

Slugs can be used in notifications to reference specific applications or users. Examples include:

• {application_slug} — references the application
• {application_field:aAbBcCdD} — references a specific application field using its slug
• {user_field:eEfFgGhH} — references a user field using its slug

Searching

You can search for an application using its slug. This is especially useful when:

• Multiple applications share the same name
• An applicant submits the same project to multiple categories
• Troubleshooting a specific submission

To search by slug:

1. In the Manage workspace, go to Applications
2. Enter the slug in the search box

Exports

Slugs are the best unique identifier when exporting data. They are useful when:

• Two users share the same name
• A user changes their email address
• A user registers more than once
• Data needs to be anonymised

Include the slug column in exports to ensure reliable record matching.

Data analysis

When combining exported datasets (for example using VLOOKUP or similar functions), slugs provide a consistent matching key. They are ideal when:

• Performing quantitative analysis
• Anonymising data
• Matching user or application records across exports

Good to know

• Slugs are not case-sensitive when searching.
• You can search using only part of a slug.
• Application slugs are included in default submission confirmation emails.
• Application slugs appear on PDFs (below the QR code), invoices, and packing slips.
• Slugs are ideal pseudonyms when anonymising users or applications.
• Always include slug columns in exports if you intend to analyse or reconcile data later.