Properties

If you are looking at a diagram, the right sidebar shows the Properties of the diagram initially. You can select an object to view its properties in the side bar instead. Moreover, you can switch to the Options by selecting the equivalent tab in the side bar. They are described in more detail here.

A diagram is shown here whereas the properties of a contained activity are displayed in the side bar.

The properties can show the attributes or the profile of the selected diagram or object, depending on the administration setting. Administrators can configure this for each diagram and object type. In the following, the default profile of an activity and a BPMN diagram is presented. However, administrators can also configure which information will be displayed in the profile of each diagram type (resp. object type).

The profile of the selected diagram or object is displayed, if it is activated for the respective type in the administration area. If the profile is deactivated, all attributes maintained for the selected diagram or object are shown in the properties instead. However, note that it is possible to deactivate that attributes are shown in publication. This can be done for each diagram type (resp. object type) in the administration. Thus, you might not find any attributes in the properties of (for example) specific object types in publication.

What is displayed to me in the profile?

Note the conditions above for displaying the profile. As part of the properties, you can view the following contents in a profile by default, depending on the selection and diagram view. By clicking on a heading, you can hide/extend the corresponding attribute values.

Default diagram profile: By default, the profile view shows the description of the diagram, responsible and contributing roles, used IT systems, documents and business objects, as well as the risks and controls in a diagram. In addition, information about the responsible person as well as release and expiry dates are visible. The last group is always the system attributes group.

Default activity profile: The profile view of an activity contains the following information in default, if these are directly related to the selected activity in the diagram or are maintained in the attribute bar: type, name and description of the symbol, responsible and contribution roles, IT systems, inputs, outputs, risks and key performance indicators. The last group is always the system attributes group.

Note

If an entity is a catalog suggestion, you will be informed accordingly next to the symbol type.

Note

Please note that the “Profile” is only visible in the properties, if this was specified in the administration. Furthermore, the content of the profile may vary depending on the configuration, object type and diagram type.

This screenshot shows the profile in the properties of an activity.

You can select the chips to navigate to a linked diagram resp. to view the properties of the referenced object.

Tip

If the attribute Keywords is visible in the profile, you can start a global search for a keyword by selecting it. You will be navigated to the search results list.

Tip

If you have maintained a description of an object, the corresponding attribute symbol i is highlighted on the object. To see a preview as tooltip, hold the mouse over this symbol.

What is displayed to me in the attributes?

Note the conditions above for displaying properties which can vary for the different diagram views and stages. As part of the properties, you can view the diagram or object attributes by default, depending on the selection and diagram view, if the profile is not provided.

In this case, all attributes that are maintained in the selected content language will be displayed in the properties. By default, further attribute groups, such as Governance or System Attributes, are hidden. By clicking on the respective heading, you can view those attributes.

Here the attributes are displayed in the properties of an activity.

In the attributes, other objects or diagrams can be used.

Objects: If other objects, such as person objects or roles, are maintained as attribute values, they are represented as chips in alphabetical order in the properties. With a click on this chip you can navigate to the properties of the corresponding object within the side bar. By clicking on the back arrow in the sidebar header, you can return to the original view.

Here the click on a chip of an object in the properties is shown.

Diagrams: In the properties, other diagrams can be linked and stored, for example using the attribute Subprocess. These diagrams are then displayed as chips in alphabetical order. With a click on this chip you can navigate directly to the linked diagram. The name of the current diagram is always displayed in the menu bar.

Here the click on a chip of a diagram in the properties is shown.

Tip

If the subprocess of an object is maintained, you can navigate to the linked diagram by double-clicking on the object.

Tip

If the attribute Keywords is maintained, you can start a global search for a keyword by selecting it. You will be navigated to the search results list.

How can I access attachments in the properties?

Attachments can occur in the properties in two cases. On the one hand, the attribute “Attachment (URL)” can be listed alphabetically sorted for the selected diagram or object. On the other hand, objects that have maintained an attachment can also be displayed in the properties of the selected diagram or object, for example when they are part of its profile. You can directly access these attachments without navigating to the referenced object.

If the attribute Attachment (URL) is displayed, you can open or download a linked attachment directly by clicking on the corresponding entry (case (1) in the screenshot below). Note the possibility to copy the link to the attachment here.

In case that other objects are linked here, they are displayed in a chip. If this chip shows a paper clip, an attachment is present. Clicking on the paper clip (case (2) in the screenshot below) either opens the attachment directly or a selection menu instead, if there are several attachments. Links can then be opened and attachments can be downloaded.

This screenshot shows the possibility to open an attachment of the selected diagram or object. Moreover, the paperclip in the chip of a referenced object is marked. A click on it opens the attachment of it.

Hint

You have the option of automatically opening a PDF file in the integrated browser PDF viewer by clicking on it within the application. Additionally, you can access attachments through the paperclip symbol in the associated activity. Alternatively, in the diagram view, you can select the properties of a diagram in the right sidebar and choose the corresponding file. If a file is not supported in the application, automatic downloading will take place.

Tip

You can also use the options to display all attachments of the diagram.

How can I download files?

You have the possibility to attach files to objects. Then, the files can be downloaded in the properties. To do this, open the diagram and click on the object containing an attachment. Then, the right side bar shows the properties of the selected object where the attachment is listed. A single click on the name of the attachment starts the download of the attached file.

Moreover, you have the possibility to copy a link with which you or other users can download the attached file directly. Simply click on the Copy URL button that is on the right of the attachment.

This screenshot shows the "Copy URL" button.

The link is now copied to the clipboard.

If you share this link and another user opens it, the attached file will be downloaded automatically.

Note

If the user was not logged in before it will send him to the sign in page. After a successful log-in the download will start automatically. This guarantees that no unauthorized person can download your files.

If the diagram or object is deleted the link does not work anymore.