Element List

The Element List is a tabular, editable view of elements that can be displayed in the main workspace. You can use the Element List to streamline the process of creating and updating elements in a package or diagram selected from the Project Browser. This can be particularly useful for analysts to create and maintain formal requirement definitions within the model. You can also print the list or generate an RTF document directly from the entries on the Element List.

To access the Element List, either:

  • Select a diagram or package in the Project Browser and select the View | Element List menu option
  • Select a diagram or package in the Project Browser and press [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[R]
  • Right-click on a diagram or package in the Project Browser and select the Show Element List menu option
  • Right-click on the background of an open diagram and select the Show as Element List context menu option
  • Click on the Element List button on the Other Views toolbar.
     
    ReportViewToolbar

The Element List tab displays, showing the element information for the selected package or diagram.

ReportView
 

Note:

As you navigate the Element List, the item you have currently selected is highlighted in the Project Browser.

In the Element List you can:

  • Sort the items by any column value in ascending or descending order, by clicking on the column header; initially the elements are listed in numerical order (if level numbering is turned on in the Project Browser)

Note:

This turns off collapsible regions; collapsible regions are shown for the State 7 and Submachine A elements in the illustration above. They are displayed only if you generate the Element List for a package, not for a diagram.
  • Change the sequence of columns, by dragging column headers left or right; however, the order you place them in is not retained in subsequent sessions
  • Display the Properties dialog for an item by double-clicking on the item entry
  • Report on specific element types by clicking on the drop-down arrow in the Element List Toolbar and selecting the appropriate element type from the filter list, or All to list all objects; the report then lists only elements of that type
  • Change the elements available in the filter list by clicking on the Select another toolbox or technology icon to the right of the list field, and selecting the appropriate category
  • Select:
  • An element by clicking on it
  • A specific value by clicking twice on it (not double-clicking)
  • Several individual elements by holding [Ctrl] as you click on them
  • A range of elements by holding [Shift] as you click on the first and last in the range.
  • Edit a specific value in the list by clicking three times on it (or twice and press [F2]); either the value becomes directly editable or the Properties dialog displays in which you can edit the value
  • Add new items to the Element List by pressing [Ctrl]+[N] or [Insert]
  • Automatically add elements to a diagram by generating the Element List on the diagram and adding elements to the list
  • Delete elements from the list by selecting the item and pressing [Ctrl]+[D].

Tip:

The report also includes each element's documentation (notes), where this exists. See the Submachine A element in the illustration above. This is a useful way to determine which elements in a diagram require further work and which are complete. You can add or edit notes by clicking on the item and pressing [Enter].

You can do further work on the Element List using the toolbar and context menu options.