Variant Tables

You can use the modeling environment for Variant Configuration to create and edit variant tables.

For detailed information about the structure, function, and purpose of variant tables, see Variant Tables.

Integration

The modeling environment provides the functions you need to create and edit variant tables. These also include links to database tables.

If you are using tables with several values in each row, empty rows, or ranges, however, you cannot edit these variant tables in the modeling environment.

You have to use dependencies to integrate variant tables in the model so that you can evaluate them. In this way, you can use a variant table in a constraint, for example, to derive a certain value from the value combinations in the table.

Features

You can use the modeling environment to

Create or edit the structure of variant tables
Edit the contents of variant tables
Link variant tables to existing database tables
Load existing variant tables or groups of variant tables to the worklist.

Activities

In the modeling environment, you manage variant tables in the worklist and model tree.

Work List and Model Tree

Open the Environment folder in the worklist.
Select the Variant Tables folder and use the context menu to create a new variant table. You can also load a single variant table or group of variant tables from the database to the worklist.
Enter the name of a new or existing variant table, or use the input help. Confirm your entry or selection.
If you want to edit a variant table that is already listed in the Environment folder, open the detailed view by double-clicking the name of the table.

Variant tables used in the model are also listed in the model tree under the object dependency that evaluates them.

The detailed view of the variant table is displayed.

Detailed View

Tab Page	Function
Contents	You can edit the value combinations of the variant table here
Basic Data	Description of the variant table Status Assignment to a group of variant tables Link to a database table Authorizations for maintaining the structure and contents of the variant table
Characteristics	Here, you can manage the characteristics and thus the structure of the variant table
Field Assignments	Assignments between characteristics in the variant table and fields in the database table This tab page is only visible if you created a link to a database table by entering the name of the database table and confirming your entry
Value Assignment Alts	Keys
Texts	Create and edit the language-dependent descriptions

To edit a new variant table (for example, to build the structure and contents), proceed as follows:

Basic Data

If the variant table is not in Edit mode, choose (Change) and click the Basic Data tab page.
Enter a description for the variant table.
Set the processing status of the variant table if required.
If you want to assign the variant table to a group, choose a group.
If you want to link the variant table to a database table, enter the name of the database table or use the input help.
If necessary, enter the maintenance authorizations for the structure and contents of the table.

Characteristics

Choose the Characteristics tab page. Enter the characteristics or use the input help to define the columns and thus the structure of the variant table.
Identify key characteristics if required.

If necessary, choose (Insert Row) for new entries or (Delete Row) to delete existing ones.

Field Assignments

To link the variant table to a database table, choose the Field Assignments tab page. For each characteristic, choose a field in the database table to assign it.
Choose the Basic Data tab page and select the Active Linkage checkbox.

Choose the Contents tab page to view the contents of the database table fields you have just assigned.

Choose the Basic Data tab page and set the status to Released.
If you want to edit the contents of the variant table, choose the Contents tab page.
To add new rows to the table, choose (Insert Row) or (Create) . To delete rows from the table, choose (Delete Row).
Select a field and enter the required characteristic value or use the input help.
It is possible to enter multiple values in a field. To do so, either enter the values separated by semicolons or double-click the field. After double-click, a dialog box appears where multiple values can be selected (or deselected) from the list of possible values. Additional possible values can be entered directly into the top line, separated by semicolons.

If a field contains multiple values, (Stack) is displayed in the content table. The content of this field cannot be changed directly (and also not via F4); changes are only possible via double-click.

Save

The variant table you have just edited is stored in the temporary repository of the modeling environment. Save the model to save the variant table permanently.

If you do not want to use the variant table in the model straight away, you can add it to your Favorites list so that it is available again the next time you load the model. By doing so, you do not have to load it to the worklist again.