Toad Data Modeler 6.4 - User Guide

Display Attributes in Model

To display attributes in your ER diagram

From the Display Level box on the toolbar, select Attributes.

To define a display level for particular Workspace

Right-click the work area  | Workspace Format... | Entities tab | Display Level | select Attributes.

To set the default Display Level properties for all models that you will create

Select Settings | Options | Physical Model | Entity tab | Display Level.

To define different colors for attributes on your Workspace

Select Settings | Options | Model section | Physical Model | Entity tab | Attribute Colors area.

Order Attributes

In the Entity Properties form | Attributes tab, you can order attributes:

• Manually via the green arrows at the bottom of the form
• Automatically (e.g. by Name, Caption, Data type etc.)

Manual Order

The order you will set via the green arrows will be applied in particular entity box in the Designer (all workspaces).

Example: Attributes in the Film Entity Properties form have been ordered manually using the green arrows and finally confirmed Apply. Now see the Film entity in Designer and compare its order of attributes with the order set in the Film Entity Properties form. The order is identical.

Automatic Order

Click the appropriate column name - e.g. click the Name column to sort attributes alphabetically.

This function offers you just a different view on the attributes in the Entity Properties form. It does not influence order of attributes in entity box in the Designer.

If you sort attributes this way, you cannot manually change order of attributes via the green arrows. If you click a green arrow, this message will display:

Click OK to activate the green arrows and order the attributes manually.

Copy Attributes

In Toad Data Modeler there are several methods and places where to copy attributes. You can select from the following options.

A. CTRL + Drag&Drop techniques on the Workspace

Use: This way, you can copy attributes within an entity and between entities on one WS. You can copy one or more attributes at one jump.

Example:

1. See Display Attributes in Model for more information.
2. Select an entity of which attributes you want to copy.
3. Press CTRL and hold the key down. Click the attributes that you want to copy.
4. Release CTRL key.

5. Now click the selected objects, hold the mouse button down. Press CTRL again and hold the key down.
6. Drag the selected attributes to a target entity. (If you want to copy the attributes within the entity, drag it a little in the entity box itself.)
7. Release your mouse button and CTRL.

B. In the Entity Properties form | Attributes tab: CTRL + Drag&Drop techniques

Use:

• In the Entity Properties form, you can copy attributes within an entity and between entities of the same model or a different model.
• From the Entity Properties form and Workspace, and vice versa
• Between the Entity Properties form and Model Explorer
• Multiple selection is possible here - use SHIFT or CTRL keys

Example:

1. Open the Customer Properties form of the Customer entity and the Employee Properties form of the Employee entity.
2. Click the Attributes tabs in both forms.
3. Press CTRL and hold the key down.
4. Click the Name attribute in the Customer Properties form and drag it to the Employee Properties form | Attributes tab.
5. Release your mouse button and CTRL.

C. In Model Explorer

Use: You can make copies of attributes:

• In Model Explorer itself
• From Model Explorer to a Workspace and vice versa
• Between Model Explorer and the Entity Properties form | Attributes tab
• Between two Model Explorers of two different models (see the following examples)
• Multiple selection is possible here - use SHIFT or CTRL keys

Example: Making a copy of attributes from Model Explorer to a WS.

1. Unfold the Entities folder | 'EntityName' | Attributes tab in Model Explorer tree.
2. Make selection of attributes.
3. Press CTRL, hold it down.
4. Click any selected attribute and drag the attribute to the appropriate entity box on the Workspace.
5. Release the mouse button and CTRL.

Move Attributes

In Toad Data Modeler there are several methods how to move attributes. You can select from the following options.

A. Drag&Drop techniques on the Workspace

Use: This way, you can move one or more attributes to another entity at one jump.

Example:

1. Display attributes in your model.
2. Select an entity of which attribute/attributes you want to move.
3. Press CTRL and hold the key down. Click the attributes that you want to move.
4. Release CTRL.
5. Drag the selected attributes to a target entity.

B. In Entity Properties Form | Attributes tab: Drag&Drop techniques

Use:

• In the Entity Properties form, you can move attributes within an entity and between entities. (To change order of attributes within an entity, use the green arrows.)
• From the Entity Properties form to a Workspace, and vice versa
• Between the Entity Properties form and Model Explorer
• Multiple selection is possible - use SHIFT or CTRL keys

Example:

1. Open the Customer Properties form of the Customer entity and the Employee Properties form of the Employee entity.
2. Click the Attributes tabs in both forms.
3. Select attributes in the Customer Properties form and drag them to the Employee Properties form | Attributes tab.

C. In Model Explorer

Use: You can move attributes:

• Between entities in Model Explorer itself
• From Model Explorer to an entity on the Workspace directly
• Between Model Explorer and the Entity Properties form | Attributes tab
• Between two Model Explorers of two different models
• Multiple selection is possible - use SHIFT or CTRL keys

Tip: Use CTRL to select attributes of various entities in Model Explorer, and move them at one jump to another entity (of the same model or even a different model).

Example: Moving an attribute in Model Explorer.

1. Unfold the Entities folder in Model Explorer tree.
2. Select attributes (SHIFT or CTRL) and drag them to the Attributes or 'EntityName' folder of another entity.