Creating Attributes and Keys

You can create new attributes and alternative keys in an ER diagram using an entity's context menu. The primary key is automatically created as soon as an attribute is shown as primary.

Creating a New Attribute

How to proceed

To create a new attribute at the uppermost position, from the context menu of an entity select the attribute template from the mini toolbar.

A new attribute is created in the entity at the topmost position. The name of the attribute is automatically selected to be edited.
To create a new attribute after the selected attribute, from the context menu of an attribute select the attribute template from the mini toolbar.

A new attribute is created in the entity behind the selected attribute. The name of the attribute is automatically selected to be edited.
Enter the name for the attribute and confirm with the [Enter] key.
You can create more attributes using [Ctrl]+[+].

Creating the Primary Key Using an Attribute's Properties

How to proceed

Select the primary property from the mini toolbar of an attribute's context menu.

If the entity does not already contain a primary key, this is created. The attribute becomes part of the primary key. The foreign key is adapted accordingly in dependent entities.

Creating an Alternative Key

How to proceed

Select the key template from the mini toolbar of an entity's context menu.

A new key is created in the entity. The name of the key is automatically selected to be edited.
Enter the name for the key and confirm with the [Enter] key.
Drag this entity's attributes and drop them on the new key.

The attributes are assigned to the key.

Assigning an Attribute to Multiple Foreign Keys

Context

When making a relationship, the foreign key attributes are automatically created to match the referencing key.

If an entity contains two foreign keys each having one attribute that must be of equal value, merging these two attributes gives one attribute that is a participant in two foreign keys.

How to proceed

Select the attribute of equal value.

At least two attributes in an entity are selected.
Select the command Foreign Key Attribute>Merge from the context menu.

An attribute selection dialog opens.
Select the attribute that should be retained together with its properties.

The attributes are merged so that only the selected attribute is retained. Ingoing and outgoing dependencies are taken from the other attributes. The assignments to foreign keys are adapted. These attributes are then deleted.