Please note : This help page is not for the latest version of Enterprise Architect. The latest help can be found here.

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Select Specification Package

When you start to work with the Specification Manager, you identify the Package in which to build your specification. When you open the facility, the Specification Package defaults to the first top-level Package in your model, as indicated by the 'breadcrumb trail' in the Navigator toolbar. If this is the Package in which you intend to work, you can go on to configure the display and create or review elements.

You might, however, want to use a different Package that:

  • Already exists in the model and already contains elements of the specified type
  • Already exists in the model but contains no elements of the specified type
  • You will create underneath the current Specification Package, OR
  • You will create underneath a different Package elsewhere in the model

You can perform these tasks using the 'native' facilities of the Navigator Toolbar, or through various procedures described here.

Access

Ribbon

Specification-Specify > Specification > Package > Open

Specification-Specify > Specification > Package > New

Context Menu

Right-click on Package | Specification Manager

Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl+Shift+X

Locate existing Package containing specification elements

Step

Action

See also

1

Click on the ribbon option 'Specification-Specify > Specification > Package > Open'.

The 'Select a Specification Package' dialog displays. This dialog presents your model hierarchy, filtered to show only those Packages that already contain elements of the type you selected as the Specification element type.

Select Specification Type

2

To expand a Package, click on the expansion box next to the Package name, or click on the Expand All button.

3

Click on the required Package, and click on the OK button.

The Package name displays in the 'breadcrumb trail' in the toolbar, and the elements in the Package are shown in the main body of the Specification Manager window, filtered to the specified type if appropriate.

Specification Manager - Overview

4

Customize the columns and/or add elements to the Package.

Customize Columns Adding Elements

Locate existing Package

It is possible that you want to create your specification in a Package that has been set up for this purpose but does not yet contain any elements (or any of  the specified type). In this case the Package would not be included in the 'Select a Specification Package' dialog. To select this Package for the Specification Manager:

  • Right-click on the Package name in the Project Browser and select 'Specification Manager' from the context menu, or
  • Select the Package in the Project Browser, then press Ctrl+Shift+X, or
  • With the Specification Manager window already open, double-click on the Package name in the Project Browser

The Package name displays in the view header and Toolbar.

If this does not work as described, display the 'Preferences' dialog ('Start > Workspace > Preferences > Preferences'), select the 'General' page and click on the 'Shows Properties' radio button in the 'Double Click on Browser' panel.

Create new Package

This method creates a new Package underneath the current Specification Package.

Step

Action

See also

1

From the ribbon bar, select 'Specification-Specify > Specification > Package > New'.

The 'New Package' dialog displays.

2

In the 'Name' field, type the name of the new Package.

(Optionally, you can also select a radio button to automatically create a new diagram in the Package.)

Add a Package

3

Click on the OK button.

The new Package becomes the current Specification Package in the Navigator toolbar. The Package is also added to the Project Browser, underneath the previous Specification Package.

4

Customize the columns and/or add elements to the Package.

Customize Columns Adding Elements

Create new Package elsewhere in the Model

This method creates a new Package underneath a different Package in the model.

Step

Action

See also

1

From the ribbon bar, select 'Specification-Specify > Specification > Package > New'.

The 'New Package' dialog displays.

2

Click on the Browse button beside the 'Owner' field.

The 'Select Owner' dialog displays.

3

Browse through the model and click on the existing Package under which to create the new Package.

Click on the OK button.

The 'Owner' field in the 'New Package' dialog is updated.

4

In the 'Name' field, type the name of the new Package. Optionally, you can also select a radio button to automatically create a new diagram in the Package.

Add a Package

5

Click on the OK button.

The new Package becomes the current Specification Package, named in the window toolbar. The Package is also added to the Project Browser, underneath the selected parent Package.

6

Customize the columns and/or add elements to the Package.

Customize Columns Adding Elements

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