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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Toolbox Shortcut Menu

When you add elements and connectors into a diagram, you can do so using the 'Toolbox' shortcut menu instead of employing the full graphical Toolbox. The menu provides options to select:

  • Elements specific to the current diagram type
  • Relationships specific to the current diagram type
  • Elements and relationships from any pages pinned in the Toolbox
  • Multiple elements at once, of types appropriate to the diagram or selected Toolbox page
  • Common elements and relationships
  • Elements and connectors for other diagram types

The advantage of using the shortcut menu is that it provides an increased amount of the workspace to be used for diagramming rather than displaying fixed (instead of pop-up) menus.

Use the Toolbox Shortcut Menu

Step

Action

See also

1

Open a diagram.

2

Either:

  • Click on the diagram background and press the Insert key or Space bar
  • Press and hold Ctrl or Shift and right-click on the diagram background
  • Right-click on the diagram background and select the 'New Element or Connector' option
  • On the UML Element Toolbar, click on the 'New Element' icon

The shortcut menu displays, listing the current diagram-type elements and connectors.

3

If necessary, to list elements and connectors for a different diagram type, select the 'Other', 'Common' or 'Artifact' options, or a pinned Toolbox page option.

If you want to create a group of elements in one go, select the 'Create Multiple Elements' option to display the 'Create Multiple Elements' dialog. (Not available if you display the menu using the 'New Element or Connector' context menu option, or the UML Element Toolbar.)

 Add Multiple Elements

4

Click on the element or connector to include in the diagram; the element is added to the diagram, or you can drag from one element to another to create the connector.

If you select the 'Other' context menu option, the final menu in the sequence offers the 'Activate <Type> Toolbox' option at the top; this opens and activates the corresponding page in the Toolbox, if the Toolbox is visible.

Notes

  • As with the Toolbox itself, if an MDG Technology:
         -  Is active
         -  Automatically pins Toolbox pages, and
         -  Duplicates UML or Extended pages
    The pinned Technology pages override and replace the pinned UML or Extended pages in the initial Toolbox shortcut menu.