Editing Tool for Record Models: The Records Modeler

Use

You use the Records Modeler to create record models as part of Customizing. To create a record model, an element type for record models must already be set up in the Registry maintenance

After you have created the record model, you must release it and assign it to an element type for records (which is a value for the connection parameter MODEL_ID). You can then create records for this element type. The records then adopt the structure of the record model entered.

Integration

You can only reach the Records Modeler through the Records Organizer (see Navigating to the Records Modeler). Choose to hide the Organizer navigation toolbar.

Features

The Records Modeler screen is divided into two areas.

Left-hand screen area

The left-hand screen area has the following sections:

Overview of the record model

The main window contains an overview tree of the record model. You can customize the columns in the tree. For further details on this, see User-Specific Settings.

Toolbar

The toolbar is above the main window. The toolbar is above the main window. This provides the following functions for editing the record model:

Choose to change the mode (display/change).

Choose to save the current status of the record model. You can decide whether you want to save the status as a continuation of the current version, or as a new version. If you save the record model as a new version, you can access the previous version at any time.

Choose to display the attributes of the record model and their values. You can change the values of the maintainable attributes at any time (for more information, see Assigning Attribute Values).

Choose Model to display a menu that offers functions for the whole record model. The following functions are available:

Change Status: A dialog box is displayed, in which you can assign a new status to the record model. (For a description of the status values, see Status Bars).

Note

The change in status from Initial to Released is irreversible. To make nodes in released record models invalid, use the deactivation function (see below).
Other Model: You can call all record models that belong to the same element type as the current record model. The search dialog box is displayed (see Searching).
Administration Transport Entry: You write a transport entry for the record model.

Note

This function is only offered if the element type chosen for the record model permits transport to subsequent systems.
Administration Log Entries: You display the log of all activities executed on the record model.
Administration XML Representation: You can display the underlying XML code of the record model.
Load Local File: The file selection box for your hard drive is displayed, from which you can select an existing record model to upload.

Prerequisite: The record model must be saved in XML format, and it must correspond to the XML schema specified by SAP for the record model.

Note: Element instances cannot be saved, and hence cannot be redisplayed. Instance nodes are therefore displayed as structure nodes.
Save as Local File: You save the record model as an XML file on your hard drive.
User-Specific Settings: For details, see User-Specific Settings.

Use to create a new node. In the right-hand screen area you see the detailed display (see below).

Use to delete a node. If the selected node has nodes beneath it in the hierarchy, the whole subtree is deleted.

Use to edit a node. In the right-hand screen area you can see the detailed display (see below). This is where you change the content and attributes of the node (see Creating a Record Model).

Use to rename a node.

Use to select a node. If the selected node has nodes beneath it in the hierarchy, the whole subtree is deleted.

This selection is in addition to simple selection by positioning the cursor on the node. You need this selection when reassigning nodes (see below).

Use to deselect a node. If the selected node has nodes beneath it in the hierarchy, the whole subtree is deselected.

Use to insert the selected nodes or sub-tree at the cursor position. If you want to move and not duplicate the selected node, you need to delete the node or sub-tree from its previous position.

Use to activate a node or subtree that was previously inactive.

Use to deactivate a node or subtree.

If you have changed the status of a record model to Released, you can only extend it; you cannot delete any nodes. You can use the deactivation function to specify that this subtree will not be visible in any future records based on this model.

Use and to expand/collapse a subtree.

Status bars

A status bar is displayed directly under the toolbar. This shows the tool you are currently working in, the current mode (a symbol for either Display or Change), and the unique name and version number of the record model.

Another status bar is displayed at the bottom of the screen. This shows the current status of the record model. The status values have the following meaning:

Initial: The record model is under construction. You cannot yet create any records for this record model.
Released: You cannot change existing nodes of the record model, but you can create further nodes. You can create records using this record model.
Final: You cannot make any further changes to the record model. You can create records using this record model.
Obsolete: The record model is invalid. The records that have been created using this record model still exist. You cannot create any further records using this record model.

To hide the status bar, choose the cross icon at the beginning of each line.

Right-hand screen area

To display the detailed view of the node in the right-hand screen area, double-click a node in the left-hand screen area, or choose . For information on the individual entries, see Creating a Record Model.