Frequently Asked Questions › Entity-Relationship (ER) Diagrams

Entity-Relationship (ER) Diagrams

Question: Can I change the display of the ER diagram?

Answer: Yes. Choose Tools, Preferences, Model Display Settings and select the options you want. You may select to display the table and all its columns (All Columns), the table name and the PK name (Table Name Only) or the table and all its indexes (All Indexes). You may also select to display the data types (Show Data Types) and the user defined data types (Show User Defined Data Types).

Question: How can I display lines instead of connector boxes in the ER diagram?

Answer: CA ERwin DMV can draw the diagram using connector boxes only, lines only, and a combination of lines and connector boxes. To display lines only, unclick the Use Connector Boxes in the Tools, Preferences, and Model Display Settings. To display connector boxes only, click the Use Connector Boxes in the Tools, Preferences, Model Display Settings and set to zero (0) the Connector Distance. To display lines to all adjacent tables and connector boxes in all other relationships, click the Use Connector Boxes in the Tools, Preferences, Model Display Settings then set to one (1) the Connector Distance. This change will only take place after you go to View, Auto Arrange and select one of the options.

Question: Can I navigate through the ER diagram?

Answer: Yes. If you have a connector box, just click on it and CA ERwin DMV will take you to the table that the connector box points to. If there is a line representing the relationship, click on the line and select where you want to go (to the parent or the child table), by selecting Scroll to Related Table. You can also right-click on any table and select Scroll to Related Table.

Question: Can I change a line to a connector box and vice-versa?

Answer: Yes. If you have a connector box, right-click on the connector box and select Change to Line. If you have a line, right-click on the line and select Change to Connector.

Question: Can I synchronize the diagnostic message with the ER diagram to better understand the diagnostic?

Answer: Yes. First the ER diagram must be open on the left side of the screen. Then you select any diagnostic and click on the specific table related to the diagnostic; then right-click on the table and select Scroll to Table in Model.