Copying and Pasting Objects

You can copy objects from the Browser, a diagram, an object list, or the Result List and paste them into the Browser, a diagram, or an object list. Symbols can be pasted as images into MS Word or image applications, while lines from object lists or the Result List can be pasted in CSV format into Excel, Word, or other text editors.

Note: To create a graphical synonym of a symbol, which is merely a second instance of the object in the diagram to improve readability or reduce link lengths, see Creating Graphical Synonyms for Object Symbols

To copy one or more objects, select them, and then:
- Select Edit > Copy from the menu bar.
- Press Ctrl+C.
- Right-click and select Edit > Copy.
Note: You can copy an object by drag and drop by holding down the Ctrl key as you drop it, or copy it as a shortcut by holding down Ctrl+Shift (see Dragging and Dropping Objects).
Click in the place where you want to paste the object and then:
- Select Edit > Paste from the menu bar.
- Press Ctrl+V.
- Right-click and select Edit > Paste.
- [to paste as a shortcut] Select Edit > Paste As Shortcut from the PowerDesigner menu bar, or right-click and select Edit > Paste As Shortcut. For more information, including the rules governing the creation of shortcuts, see Shortcuts and Replicas.
When you copy an object, you also copy its child objects, and any references to other objects. For example, if you copy a CDM entity, you also copy its attributes and any references to business rules attached to that entity. When you paste an object, you transfer all of its properties from the Clipboard and create a new object, and not a graphical synonym or a new instance of the copied object.

When you paste in PowerDesigner, the creation of the object must not violate name uniqueness rules (see Object Namespaces). If an object with the same name and code already exists in the model or package, PowerDesigner will append a number to the name and code, and display a message in the Output pane to warn you that the object was renamed.

Note: When a paste conflict occurs on a CDM entity, the copied entity is given a new name and code and, if the Allow Reuse model option is not selected, new attributes will be created, with the same names as those being copied. If the Unique Code model option is not selected, the codes because they are in the context of the new entity)a new identifier is created (which will have the same namerenamed according to the data item options set in the model.