Displaying Column, Domain, and Data Type Information on a Table Symbol

To set display preferences for tables, select Tools > Display Preferences, and select the Table sub-category in the left-hand Category pane.

Columns

Keys and indexes are represented by indicators in the table symbol. Each key and index indicator is assigned a number. You can use these numbers to keep track of the different groups of alternate keys, foreign keys, and indexes in your model.

By default, the following information about columns can be displayed on table symbols.

Preference

Displays

Example

Data types

Data type for each column



Replace by domains

Domain codes for each column attached to a domain



Domains

Domain of an attribute in the table. This display option interacts with the selection for Data types. As a result, there are four display options

See the Display Domain and Data Type section below for options and examples.

Key Indicators

<pk>, <fk>, and <ak> indicators next to primary key, foreign key, and alternate key columns respectively. When the Keys preference is also selected, the key names are listed at the bottom of the table symbol



Index indicators

<i(n)> indicator next to indexed columns. When the Indexes preference is also selected, the index names and corresponding numbers are listed at the bottom of the table symbol



NULL/NOT NULL

Column indicator: null, not null, identity, or with default (DBMS-dependent)



Display Domain and Data Type

You can display the domain of an attribute in the symbol of a table. There are four display options available:

Preference

Displays

Example

Data types

Only the data type, if it exists



Domains

Only the domain, if it exists



Data types and Domains

Both data type and domain, if they exist



Data types and Replace by domains

If domain exists and data type does not exist, then displays domain.

If domain does not exist and data type exists, then displays data type.



Note: For information about selecting other properties to display, see Core Features Guide > The PowerDesigner Interface > Diagrams, Matrices, and Symbols > Display Preferences.