Modeling Features › Cut, Copy, and Paste Functions › Overview of Deleting Objects

Overview of Deleting Objects

You can delete objects using the Edit menu. Select Cut (Object) from the Edit menu to cut selected entities, tables, views, or drawing objects from your model. The Cut (Object) menu option is object-sensitive, which means that the name of the option confirms the type of object that you are about to cut. For example, if you select an entity in your model, the Edit menu displays the menu option Cut Entity. This occurs when you select one individual object; when you select more than one object, the Edit menu displays the menu option Cut Group.

When you cut or delete one or more model objects from a subject area other than the Main Subject Area, you are prompted to confirm the cut in the Subject Area Deletion dialog as follows:

• Remove them from current subject area. Cuts or deletes the selected objects from the current subject area and does not cut them from the model.
• Delete them from the entire model. Cuts or deletes the selected objects from the model.

The cut model objects are automatically copied to the Clipboard. Deleted objects are not copied to the Clipboard.

Note: You cannot cut or delete foreign key attributes or columns from the child entity or table. If you want to remove foreign key attributes or columns, you can remove the migrated attribute or column from the parent's primary key, remove the relationship that contributes the foreign key, or migrate a partial key.

When you cut or delete one or more entities, tables, or views, all relationships that exist between the cut or deleted objects and the remaining objects in the model are also cut or deleted. While you cannot cut an individual relationship, you can delete it.

When you delete one or more attributes or columns from an entity or table within the diagram window, you are asked if you want to delete the selected attribute(s) or column(s). The following describes information regarding the deletion of attributes and columns:

• Click the Delete key to delete selected attributes or columns from the diagram window.
• You cannot use the Edit menu to delete individual attributes and columns. After you have selected the attributes or columns to delete on the diagram window, the only available options from the Edit menu will be Cut Entity or Copy Entity, or Cut Table or Copy Table.
• You can use the Model Explorer to delete individual attributes or columns, however, you will not be prompted to confirm the deletion.
• You cannot cut or copy individual attributes or columns from the Edit menu. There is a different process to copy attributes or columns than the one used to copy model objects such as entities, tables, views, or drawing objects.

More information:

Delete Objects on the Diagram Window

Delete a Relationship

Delete a Drawing Object

Delete an Attribute or Column on the Diagram Window

Delete a Subject Area