If you have a published name on a container that is not bound to an internal node attribute, you can bind it manually with the Asset Editor. Likewise, you can also unbind a published attribute, which leaves an unbound published name on the container.
The container’s bound and unbound published names appear in the right panel.
The Bind icon changes to the Unbind icon and the internal attribute name appears next to the published name indicating that the published name now refers to a published attribute. Now you can modify this attributes value in the Attribute Editor or Channel Box.
The container’s bound and unbound published names appear in the right panel.
The associated internal node attribute name disappears. The attribute disappears from the Attribute Editor and Channel Box since it now refers to only a published name.