When a document gets published to the Document Manager (DM), the document attributes get updated by matching DEs from the BP record. If the matching DEs on the source record get updated during the life of the record, then the corresponding DM attributes can get updated, if it has been configured in uDesigner to do so.
If the option of Update attributes for already published documents is checked on a BP Upper Form at a given step (in uDesigner), then the attributes of all record and line item published attachments will be updated according to the matching DEs between the record and the DM attribute form. Also:
If the uDesigner option (Update attributes for already published documents) is checked at multiple steps, the DM attributes gets updated at each such step.
For a Workflow type BP:
If the uDesigner option (Update attributes for already published documents) is checked on current step, the DM attributes get updated as the record is routed to next step.
If the user causing the record to move to next step does not have Modify Properties permission on a document, the DM attributes get updated, if the uDesigner option (Update attributes for already published documents) is checked.
If the end step has an edit form, then the DM attributes get updated at each save of the record, if the uDesigner option (Update attributes for already published documents) is checked.
For a non-Workflow type BP:
The attributes get updated when the record is Finish Edited, if the uDesigner option (Update attributes for already published documents) is checked.
If the user who edits the record does not have Modify Properties permission on a document, the DM attributes get updated, if the uDesigner option (Update attributes for already published documents) is checked.
For both Workflow and non-Workflow type BPs:
If the attribute on DM form is set to Formula or Auto-populate with a Constant Value, the attributes get updated from the BP if there are matching DEs with the BP form; however, when you manually open the Properties, and click OK, the Formula or Auto-populate with a Constant Value on the DE gets recalculated and repopulated.
If a BP record is created by attaching file(s) from the DM directly, and the uDesigner option (Update attributes for already published documents) is checked, then the files are treated as a published document(s) and their attributes get updated as the record progresses in workflow, or the record is Finish Edited.
Note: If the uDesigner (Update attributes for already published documents) is not checked, then there will be no update of DM attributes as a record progresses in workflow, or the record is Finish Edited.