Chapter 6 Managing Objects

Modifying object properties from its symbol in the diagram

You can modify an object property (like name, code, stereotype, or cardinality) directly from its symbol in the diagram without having to open its property sheet.

Read-only properties cannot be modified directly from the object symbol in the diagram, nor properties that display in a list within the object property sheet (like table columns, for example).

You can navigate from an object property to another in the object symbol using the usual tab key or the key combination shift+tab.

When you modify an object property directly from the object symbol in the diagram, the same checks and confirmations as in the object property sheet are performed. In case of error, the edited value is lost.

If you modify an object name, the name to code conversion is automatically applied, if the code was identical to the name before the edition.

You cannot edit properties of objects whose symbols is extremely zoomed (very large or very small) from the diagram.

Note   Edit in Place general option
You can also select the Edit in place after creation option in the General Option dialog box to automatically be able to modify the name of objects from their symbol in the diagram, whenever you create them from the diagram toolbar.
For more information on how to select the Edit-in place option, see section Defining the graphic tool behavior in chapter Using the PowerDesigner Interface.

Word wrapping name and code

When a name or a code is wrapped onto several lines in the object symbol, the edit in place mode displays it on one line to make it editable. When you modify the object name or code and click outside the edit zone the change is committed and displayed on several lines again.

Steps To modify properties of an object from its symbol in the diagram:

  1. Click an object symbol and Press f2.

    or

    Press ctrl while right-clicking a property name in the object symbol.

    or

    Select an object symbol and click right away a property name in the object symbol.

    If you do not click immediately a property name, the timer engaged when you select a symbol will expire and the edit in place function will no more be available.

    The object name, or the first object property if the name is not displayed, becomes editable.
  2. Modify the property of the object in the edit zone.
  3. Click outside the edit zone to commit the change

Note   Renaming an object from its symbol in the diagram
You can also rename an object from its symbol in the diagram by right-clicking the object symbol and select Edit→Rename from the contextual menu.

 

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