Define the Component Structure

For services and server pages, use the Define Structure worksheet to add and organize entities and fields in the component structure.

Note:  For form and report components, use the Define Frames worksheet to graphically define both the component structure and the layout. For more information, see Define the Structure and Layout of Forms and Reports .

  1. Open the component and go to the Define Structure worksheet. For more information, see Open a Main Development Object for Editing.
  2. Add entities and fields.
    1. In the Resource Browser, browse and select an entity template or a modeled entity, and drag and drop it onto the component object in the structure.

      For more information, see Add Objects from the Resource Browser.

    2. For each entity, select the fields you want to include in the component, and drag and drop them onto the entity in the Structure Editor.

      You can select multiple fields using Windows conventions of Ctrl+Click or Shift+Click.

      The fields listed in the Templates tab represent non-database fields with a specific widget type and data type. They can be added to any entity in the component and renamed.

      Fields belonging to modeled entities can only be added to their parent entity and inherit their definitions from the model.

    3. Modify the properties of component entities and fields, if required.

      For modeled fields, you can usually just use the inherited values, but you can always change properties to fit the specific component, thereby overriding inheritance and creating a component variation.

      Tip: To revert a component variation to the model default, clear the property.

  3. Change entity and field order. To change the order of fields and entities, you need to cut and paste them.
    1. In the Structure Editor, select the entity or field to move, right-click and choose Cut.
    2. Select an object where you want to paste the entity or field, right-click, and choose Paste After or Paste Before.

      When entities are moved, their child fields are also moved.

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