Enterprise Architect Tips and Tricks in Compilation

Tip #1: Highlight Connectors

To highlight the connectors, select an element in a diagram (workspace) and press “L” (keyboard) to highlight its incoming and outgoing flows. Incoming flows will be highlighted in Red and Outgoing in Green.

Figure 1 Highlight Connectors

Tip #2: Insert Existing Element

Draw connector to an existing model Element. One can insert an existing model element and establish a relationship while drawing a new connector Follow usual steps to draw a connector, but press “Shift” before choosing the type of element to be created, this will invoke the “Select Existing Element” dialog to choose a model element instead of creating a new element.

Figure 2 Insert Existing Element

Tip #3: Bend Connectors

Press “Shift” introduces a bend point while drawing a connector, enabling to draw a custom style connector.

Figure 3 Bend Connectors

Tip #4: Generate Report from Diagram

Generate a report on elements in a diagram, switch to “List View”(Right-click on Diagram and select open in diagram🡪List View), select the elements and use the “Rich Text Report” button.

Figure 4 Generate Report from Diagram

Tip #5: Bookmark Elements

Select Element(s) and use “Shift” + “Space” to add bookmark. Bookmarked elements can then be retrieved in Model Search (Ctrl + F | Diagram Searches | Find Bookmarked Elements) and also be generated as RTF report.

Figure 5 Bookmark Elements

Tip #6: Set Default Toolbox

Pin your favorite toolboxes using “More Tools -> Set Toolbox Visibility”. This enables the desired toolbox visible in all diagram pages.

Figure 6 Set Default Toolbox

Tip #7: Bezier Style Connector

Create a Bezier Style Connector by adding a tagged value (_Bezier = 1).

Figure 7 Bezier Style Connector

Tip #8: Document with Pre-defined settings

Creating a resource document lets you to Auto Generate documents with pre-defined settings.

Figure 8 Document with Pre-defined settings

Tip #9: Update Elements Status

Update the status of all elements in a package and its child packages using ” Design | Edit | Advanced | Update Status”.

Figure 9 Update Elements Status

Tip #10: Favorites Folder

Create a favorites folder in the “Model Views” to quickly access your frequently used items.

Figure 10 Favorites Folder

Tip #11: Diagrams Slideshow

Create a Slideshow folder in the “Model Views” to run screen-based presentations of a set of diagrams.

Figure 11 Diagrams Slideshow

Tip #12: Move elements along its axis

Select element and press “Shift” to move the element along its axis.

Figure 12 Move elements along its axis

Tip #13: Create Realization Relationship

Move an internal requirement (Element Properties Window | Requirements Tab) over any diagram element to implicitly create a realization relationship.

Figure 13 Create Realization Relationship

Tip #14: Change Element Type

Change type of an element. Select an element “Design | Element | Change Type”.

Figure 14 Change Element Type

Tip #15: Project Template Package

Add elements to a Package and configure it as Template package (Configure | Project Template Package | Select the Template Package) to create new elements based on a template package.

Figure 15 Project Template Package

Tip #16: Project Publish

Use “Publish |Technologies |Publish” to export a model in various XML formats.

Figure 16 Project Publish

Tip #17: Filter Element Type on Diagram

Use “Layout | Edit | Select Elements by Type” to filter element by type and stereotype on a diagram.

Figure 17 Filter Element Type on Diagram

Tip #18: Auto Names and Counters

Use “Auto Names and Counters” from Settings menu, to configure naming and numbering convention for elements.

Figure 18 Auto Names and Counters

Tip #19: Show / Hide connectors

“Links” tab in Element Properties window can be used to Show / Hide a relationship in the diagrams.

Figure 19 Show / Hide connectors

Tip #20: Export Diagrams to RTF Document

Generate a Diagrams Only report from Model using the “Export Diagrams to RTF Document” dialog (Ctrl + Shift + F8).

Figure 20 Export Diagrams to RTF Document

Tip #21: Stereotyped Nodes with Icons

Adorn your deployment diagrams with pre-defined stereotypes for Nodes. Use pc, pc client, pc server, server, storage, etc. to add custom icons

Figure 21 Stereotyped Nodes with Icons

Tip #22: UML Profiles

Save custom stereotypes with tagged values as profile items and import into Resources->UML Profiles to simplify modeling.

Figure 22 UML Profiles

Tip #23: Synchronize tagged values

Synchronize your tagged values associated with stereotypes using the “Synch Tagged Values and Constraints” option by right clicking the intended element in the toolbox.

Figure 23 Synchronize tagged values

Tip #24: Convert Linked Element

Create a local copy of a referenced element in a diagram by using “Convert Linked Element to Local Copy” option in diagram context menu (Advanced). This will not maintain any relationship with existing elements.

Figure 24 Convert Linked Element

Tip #25: Find in Diagrams

Use Find in Diagrams (Ctrl + U) from project browser to find the Link and classifier instances of an element in all diagrams.

Figure 25 Find in Diagrams

Tip #26: Shortcuts for Tasks

Use “Shortcuts” menu item from “Learning Center” to begin Enterprise Architect tasks appropriate to the topic.

Tip #27: Incorporate Model Templates

Incorporate Model Templates in MDG Technology by following the guidelines

http://www.sparxsystems.com.au/enterprise_architect_user_guide/13.5/modeling_tools/model_templates2.html

https://www.sparxsystems.in/blogs/import-model-patterns-into-enterprise-architect-through-add-in/

Tip #28: Project Calendar

Use Start | Collaborate | Calender to Add Events, Meetings and Milestones.

Figure 26 Project Calendar

Tip #29: Linked Note

Create individual “Linked Note” for an attribute and for an operation of a class element. Select attribute/operation and right-click from context menu choose Create Linked Note.

Figure Linked Note

Tip #30: Set Visible Relationships

To Show/Hide the connectors in a diagram use “Layout | Diagram | Appearance | Set Visible Relationships” or “Ctrl + Shift + I”

Figure 28 Set Visible Relationships

Tip #31: Exclude images from RTF document

Use Diagram | Properties “Exclude image from RTF documents” to exclude the diagram images from any RTF document generated on the parent package or element.

Figure 29 Exclude Image for RTF Document

Tip #32: Context Filter

Use Context Filter (Layout | Filter | Relationships) to play up the elements on the diagram that are directly related to the selected element. This one is very useful in complex diagrams.

Figure 30 Context Filter

Tip #33: Set Direction for Association

Use “Association default = source –> target” (Tools | Options | Links) to automatically set the direction of new Associations, flowing from source to target element.

Figure 31 Set Direction for Association

Tip #34: Change Element Default Color

Use Element | Appearance | Default Appearance (F4), to change an element color on all diagrams except diagrams that override the appearance or use the format painter in the diagram toolbar to apply only on the current diagram.

Figure 32 Change Element Default Color

Tip #35: Export Tagged Values

Use Configure | Model | Transfer | Export Reference Data and select “Tag Value Types” from “UML Types” to export all the custom “Tagged Values” in the model.

Figure 33 Export Tagged Values

Tip #36: Diagram Legend

Use “Diagram Legend” to assist in distinguishing different elements, connectors or systems in a diagram.

Figure 34 Diagram Legend

Tip #37: EA Command

Use Hyperlink of type “EA Command” to select and perform list of Enterprise Architect commands.

Figure Hyperlink “EA Command”

Tip #38: Execute a script

To execute a script, press Ctrl while you double-click on the script name.

Tip #39: Copy Script

To copy Script, select Script and drag and drop pressing Ctrl to create a copy of the script into the new user scripts folder.

Figure 36 Copy Script

Tip #40: Add Stereotypes

Configure | UML Types | Stereotype, to Add, Modify or Delete stereotypes.

Figure 37 Add Stereotypes

Tip #41: Level Numbering

Use Design | Package | Edit | Advanced Toggle Level Numbering to display level numbering of elements of selected package in the project browser/list view.

Figure 38 Level Numbering

Tip #42: Code Samples

Refer Code Samples to handle enterprise architect repository using external projects from “C:\Program Files (x86)\Sparx Systems\EA\Code Samples”.

Tip #43: Code Gen default Language

Set default Language for Code Generation using “Configure | Options “.

Figure 39 Code Gen default Language

Tip #44: Exact Placement

Use “Exact Placement” option from Tools->Options->Links to set the orientation of the new connectors to the exact point in the target element.

Figure 40 Exact Placement

Tip #45: Duplicate Element Properties

Use the “Element Browser” to copy element features from one element to another.

Figure 41 Duplicate Elements Properties

Tip #46: Model Default Diagram

Open a diagram choose “Layout | Diagram | Manage | Set as Model Default” to display it when you open the model.

Figure 42 Model Default Diagram

Tip #47: User Default Diagram

Set a diagram as the User default from “Layout | Diagram | Manage | Set as User Default” to display the diagram, when the user opens the model.

Figure 43 User Default Diagram

Tip #48: Add Tagged Value to Elements

Add the same tagged value to multiple elements. Select Multiple Element | Right Click | Add Tag Values.

Figure 44 Add Tagged Value to Elements

Tip #49: Extend Data Types

Extend the set of inbuilt data types for a standard programming language from Code | Options | Configure Code Engineering Datatypes.

Figure 45 Extend Data Types

Tip #50: Display Diagram Property

Add Diagram Details in the Diagram. Open Diagram Properties window(Double – click on Diagram workspace) | Diagram Tab | click on checkbox Show Diagram Details

Figure Display Diagram Property

Tip #51: Add Macro Definition

Add New Macro definition to a language. “Setting | Preprocessor Macros”.

Figure 47 Add Macro Definition

Tip #52: QA Reports & Metrics

Use “QA Reports & Metrics” to monitor and report, on the outstanding details on a package.

Figure 48 QA Reports & Metrics

Tip #53: Locate Element

Locate the diagram object in the Project Browser using “ALT+G”.

Figure 49 Locate Element

Tip #54: Element Usage

Find the element usage by selecting an element in “Project Browser” then press “CTRL + U”.

Figure 50 Element Usage

Tip #55: Find Orphan Elements

Find elements that are not used in any diagrams. Press Ctrl + F | Diagram Searches | Find Orphans.

Figure 51 Find Orphan Elements

Tip #56: Audit History

Use “Configure | Auditing” to audit all the modifications in entire project. Audit view could be sort by Type & User.

Figure 52 Audit History

Tip #57: Place Related Elements

Place the related elements of an element in the diagram using “Traceability” (Start | Trace) window Right Click on an element. Place element on the Diagram.

Figure 53 Placed Related Elements

Tip #58: Validate Project

Use “Design | Package | Edit | Validation | Validate Current Package ” to validate model against known UML rules.

Figure 54 Validate Project

Tip #59: Create Shape Scripts

Use “Configure | Reference Data | UML Types” to apply Shape scripts to custom stereotypes.

Figure 55 Create Shape Scripts

Tip #60: Instant Toolbox

Use “Shift and Right-Click” or space bar on diagram workspace to get the toolbox instantly.

Figure 56 Instant Toolbox

Tip #61: Create Multiple Elements

“Hold Ctrl and Right-Click” on the diagram workspace then select “Create Multiple Elements” to add multiple elements. Change the type of element from type drop-down.

Figure 57 Create Multiple Elements

Tip #62: Import Elements from Clipboard

Import names from clipboard by “hold Ctrl and Right-Click” on diagram workspace then select “Create Multiple Elements”. Right click on the blank space. Then click “Import Names from Clipboard”.

Figure 58 Import Elements from Clipboard

Tip #63: Repeat Element

To repeat the last created element type use “Ctrl + Click.”

Figure 59 Repeat Element

Tip #64: Repeat Connecter

Use F3 to repeat the last created connector type.

Figure 60 Repeat Connecter

Tip #65: Draw Elements without Toolbar

Draw elements without toolbar by simply using “ctrl +shift +arrow keys”.

Figure 61 Draw Elements without Toolbar

Tip #66: Add New View/Package

Use “Ctrl + w” to add a new view or package to a currently selected model root view or package.

Figure 62 Add New View/Package

Tip #67: Auto Size Elements

Auto size (Alt + z) resizes objects to best fit. This can be quite handy when you enable / disable Element’s Features (Feature Visibility).

Figure 63 Auto Size Elements

Tip #68: Attributes Window

Use Features & Properties window to Add/Edit/Delete Attribute. Select the element and Press “F9” to open up attributes tab in features window.

Figure 64 Attributes Window

Tip #69: Operations Window

Use Features & Properties window to Add/Edit/Delete Operation. Select the element and Press “F10” to open up operations tab in features window.

Figure 65 Operations Window

Tip #70: Generate Excel Report from Query

Generate CSV report with from query results. Use Ctrl+F | Run a Search. Export results using CSV Import/Export Option

Figure 66 Generating Excel Report from Query

Tip #71: Change Line Style

Change line styles for multiple connectors at a time using “Relationships Window”. Select a few objects in the diagram, see all its connectors in the relationship window -> Right click -> Lines Style -> Choose desired line style.

Figure 67 Change Line Style

Tip #72: Apply Line Style

Use “Apply Line Style to -> All connectors of same type / stereotype” to quickly apply line styles to multiple connectors in a diagram.

Figure 68 Apply Line Style

Tip #73: Switch Between Windows

Use “Ctrl + Tab” to switch between open windows within Enterprise Architect. One of the less known, highly useful feature to flip between item diagrams.

Figure Switch Between Windows

Tip #74: Instant Copy

Select an object in diagram, hold ctrl and drag to a new position to create object as new (copy)

Figure 70 Instant Copy

Tip #75: Add Attributes Inline

Add attributes in line with “Ctrl + Shift + F9” – one of the most commonly used trick in Class models.

Figure 71 Add Attributes Inline

Tip #76: Add Operations Inline

Add operations in line with “Ctrl + Shift + F10” – one of the most commonly used trick in Class models.

Figure 72 Add Operations Inline

Tip #77: Use Diagram Compare

Use Diagram Compare (Layout | Diagram | Manage | Compare to baseline) option to compare your diagrams to previous state. Handy feature to keep track of diagram changes.

Figure 73 Use Diagram Compare

Tip #78: Diagram Frame

Configure “Diagram Frame” (Start | Preferences | Diagram Tab) to copy images with/without diagram frames.

Figure 74 Diagram Frame

Tip #79: Image Memory Limit Property

Increase the Image Memory Limit (Start | Preferences | Diagram Tab) property to get better quality images in HTML / Clipboard

Figure 75 Image Memory Limit

Tip #80: Hide Page Border

Use “Start | Preferences | Diagram Tab” to Show/Hide page border of the diagrams.

Figure 76 Hide Page Border

Tip #81: Auto Group Elements

Use “Start | Preferences | Diagram | Behavior | Auto Group Elements” to set grouping elements as default behavior in all the diagrams.

Figure 77 Auto Group Elements

Tip #82: Presentation Mode

Enable “Presentation Mode” to hide popups / on-hover messages, etc. (Start | Preferences | Diagram | Behavior)

Figure 78 Presentation Mode

Tip #83: Show Direction

Use “Show Direction” (Layout | Helpers | Show Direction) to highlight incoming and outgoing relationships of selected element

Figure 79 Show Direction

Tip #84: Rectangle Notation

Change Element Appearance using “Use Rectangle Notation” icon below quick linker

Figure 80 Rectangle Notation

Tip #85: Show Status Colors

Display element status on diagrams using “Show Status Colors” (Start | Preferences | Diagram | Objects).

Figure 81 Show Status Colors

Tip #86: Set Line Style/Width

Use “Pen Width”, “Routing” options (Start | Preferences | Links) to set line style / line width across all diagrams

Figure Set Line Style/Width

Tip #87: Compact EAP

In EAP projects, doing a Compact .EAP File (Configure | Integrity Check | Manage .EAPX/.EAP File | Compact .EAPX/.EAP File) on a regular basis helps to reduce the size of file in large models.

Figure 83 Compact EAP

Tip #88: Diagram Filters

Use Diagram Filters, and set mode to “Hide” this will allow normal “Context Filtering” to hide non-context items (Default behavior is greying out)

Figure 84 Diagram Filters

Tip #89: Reorder Messages

Hold “Alt” and move messages to reorder messages in Sequence Diagrams.

Figure 85 Reorder Messages

Tip #90: Recently Modified Elements

Set Auto notifications on new items in the model by using “Recently Modified Elements” Search in “Model Views” and setting auto-refresh. To identify the recently modified elements, create a “New Search folder” under “View Folder” in Model Views. To check the Recently modified elements (Start | Explore | Browse | Model Views).

Figure 86 Recently Modified Elements

Tip #91: Create Element from Text

Select a piece of text in an application (e.g. web browser, word document, notepad++). Then drag and drop the selection to the diagram view in EA, to create an element with Name.

Figure 87 Create Element from Text

Tip #92: Enable Tool Tips

Enable tool tips in Enterprise Architect 14 using “Show Tips in Status Bar (restart) option” (Start | Visual Style).

Figure 88 Enable Tool Tips

Tip #93: Kanban Charts

Use Kanban charts (driven by Default properties / Tagged Values) to categorize elements. To Create Kanban Charts, Right-click on diagram workspace select “Kanban” from context menu. Configure properties to categorize. Drag and drop the element in the Kanban workspace.

Figure 89 Kanban Charts

Tip #94: Save Server Connection

Save your server connection as an EAP file. EA icon Drop Down (Left Top)| Save as Shortcut

Figure 90 Save Server Connection

Tip #95: Inline Reader

Inline Reader (Simplified version of Specification window) option represents artifact name and notes along with diagram. To access the Inline Reader, open diagram and select (Design | Diagram | View as | Toggle Inline Specification View).

Figure 91 Inline Reader

Tip #96: Clone Element

To clone the element, open the cloned diagram. Select a element Right Click on the Element | Clone Element as New Version. Enter value for version and click OK.

Figure 92 Clone Element

Tip #97: Create Charts

Charts in Enterprise Architect can help you manage projects, communicate strategy, identify trends and track KPI’s. Drag and drop the standard chart artifact from the tool box, double click on the artifact to open the properties. Configure Properties, type of chart. Data represented in chart can be defined from current model/external model/query/csv.

Figure 93 Create Charts

Tip #98: Save Relationship Profiles

Configure Relationship Matrix (Design | Matrix) using source/target package, element type, connector type and direction and save it as profiles (Options | Profiles | Save as New Profile) to publish in report.

Figure 94 Save Relationship Profiles

Tip #99: Add Elements from Project Browser

In the project browser, click on “drop-down | New Element”. Use “Save” option to create multiple elements.

Figure 95 Add Elements from Project Browser

Tip #100: Sequence Numbering

Enable Show Sequence Numbering checkbox (Start | Preferences | Diagram | Sequence) to display interaction sequence between lifelines.

Figure 96 Sequence Numbering