Getting Started with MDM Dictionary

To set up MDM dictionary structure in the object navigator, select it and execute one of the operations:

Click the Edit button.
Select the Edit item in the object's context menu.
Press F4.

MDM dictionary structure can be set up only in the desktop application.

To work with MDM dictionary elements in the object navigator, select it and execute one of the operations:

Click the Open button in the main menu of repository window.
Select the Open item in the object's context menu.
Double-click the dictionary name.

Main menu. It contains a list of commands that are used to execute various operations with repository objects.
Tab area. It contains tabs that are used for working with elements, setting up structure and translation.

Toolbar. It is used to execute operations with dictionary elements.
Parameters area. It contains fields that are used to enter parameter values. When parameters are used, the elements with multiple values are displayed in the tree if at least one element value corresponds to the selected parameter. Multiple element values must be specified before creating parameters. The Actuality Date box is displayed for a version dictionary. If the dictionary contains linked attributes, the Possible Attribute Values area displays names of linked attributes for them. The area is available only for parametric MDM dictionaries.
Dictionary structure setup area. It contains tabs for setting up dictionary properties.
The Dictionary Elements area. It displays dictionary elements in accordance with the specified parameter values (if there are any) and with user access permissions. The list of elements also displays all attributes, for which the Hidden checkbox is deselected. The area is available only for table MDM dictionaries.
The Possible Element Attribute Values area. It displays attribute values for the element selected on the Dictionary Elements panel.
The Source Dictionary Elements and Composite Dictionary Elements areas, displaying elements of corresponding dictionaries. The area is available only for composite table MDM dictionaries.
The Source box. It is used to select a source MDM dictionary specified on the Sources tab.

Toggling between the Dictionary Elements, Description, and Translations tabs can be executed independently of the dictionary open method.

Operation of setting up a group of elements and selection schemas of dictionaries is available only in the desktop application.

To set up groups of elements and selection schemas of the dictionary:

Select the Object > Groups of Elements/Selection Schemas item in the main menu of MDM repository window.
Select the Groups of Elements/Selection Schemas item in the dictionary's context menu.

After that the Groups of Elements/Selection Schemas section.

To clear the MDM dictionary:

In the desktop application click the Clear Dictionary button on the toolbar.
In the web application select the Clear Dictionary item in the Edit menu.

After selecting the operation the confirmation of clearing the dictionary will be required. A detailed description can be seen in the Deleting Dictionary Elements section.

To delete MDM dictionary:

In the desktop application:
- Select the Delete item in the context menu of the selected dictionary in the object navigator.
- Select the Delete item on the toolbar in the object navigator.
- Select the Edit > Delete item in the main menu of MDM repository window.
- Press CTRL + DELETE.
In the web application:

Select the Delete item in the context menu of the selected dictionary in the object navigator.
Select the Delete item on the toolbar in the object navigator.

After selecting the operation the confirmation of deleting the MDM dictionary will be required.

To close an MDM dictionary in the web application, select the Close item in the File menu. After selecting the item the active dictionary is closed.

The use of outdated dictionary types: MDM dictionaries and composite MDM dictionaries will result in error. To resolve the error, convert them into table MDM dictionaries. Conversion enables the use of a separate data storage table that will be created in any place of the repository and not only in the MDM repository.

To convert:

Select an MDM dictionary or a composite MDM dictionary.
Select the Convert to a Table MDM Dictionary context menu item.

As a result, the selected dictionary is converted into a table MDM dictionary. Limitations and features of dictionary conversion are given in description of the RdsDictionaryConverter class.

NOTE. Converting may result in error, if the metadata schema was previously moved from Microsoft SQL Server 2008 to Microsoft SQL Server 2012. Moving of schemas between different DBMS versions is not supported because of difference in SQL syntax, that is why MDM dictionaries will not be converted.