Model Explorer

Model Explorer is a tool window that is integrated with the Model Designer window. It contains a tree with all model items - classes, properties, relations, methods, etc. Model Explorer has several root nodes depending on the ORM in use - two nodes are common for all models, and one node is characteristic for Entity Framework models only.

The first common node shows you the conceptual model. By expanding the child nodes, you can view all entity types, complex types, enum types, methods and associations in the model.

The second common node shows all templates currently assigned to the model.

The third node, that is specific to Entity Framework, shows you the target database model. You can see all tables, stored procedures and functions, and constraints from your database.

Expand the root nodes of the tree to access all the elements of the model. You can double-click any element to open its editor, drag properties to change their order, use popup menus to add new classes, properties, or relationships, or to perform other actions with the model.

With the help of Model Explorer you can perform the following actions:

  • Delete tables, views, and stored procedures from the storage model.
  • Update the storage model when changes are made to the underlying database.
  • Search the tree view of the conceptual and storage models.
  • Locate an entity type on the design surface.
  • Create a function import from a stored procedure.
  • Modify properties and mappings.
  • Split your model to several diagrams by schema name or another criterion.
  • Drag properties from one class to another.
  • Move classes, complex types and enum types to the diagram area by dragging them from the Model Explorer window, or by selecting Add On Diagram in the context menu of these objects.
  • Add classes, complex types and enum types from the Model Explorer window to the diagram area together with the objects related to them, by selecting Add On Diagram With Related in the context menu of these objects.

To access the Model Explorer window choose Model Explorer from the View menu or press CTRL+ALT+M. Also Model Explorer opens when a Model Designer is opened.

See also

  • Tool windows