Adding simple attribute to element

[_Mark_FM_Peters_]

Hi,

Silly question: I read Chapter 11: "Attribute Definitions" in the Structure Application Developer's Guide, and am trying to add a simple string attribute to an element.

In my EDD, I added my new attribute to the existing Attribute list element, as follows:

Attribute list
Name: id Unique ID Required
Name: usage String Optional

I saved the EDD, reopened FM (probably not necessary), and then opened a structured file that points to the relevant structure application. The new "usage" attribute is not listed as an option for the element. Is another step required? I don't think I need to read the application definitions, because these did not change. I also don't think I need to edit the r/w rules. The Structure Application Developer's Guide doesn't mention another step, that I see.

Any clue would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

[_Van_Kurtz_]

Mark,

Updating an EDD does not update those documents based upon it automatically. I am assuming you keep and edit your EDD as a separate document. You need to import your updated EDD into the documents that use it. With both files open, select File > Import > Element Definitions, and select the file containing your updated EDD.

I work with a template and keep it up to date by importing the updated EDD into it; however, even updating a template does not update any documents created from it. If all your documents are in a book, in the book file, select all the documents and do the import. This saves some time.

The important thing to remember is that each document contains its OWN copy of the EDD. You need to reimport the updated EDD into every document each time you change it.

It has nothing to do with the structured application, unless you are doing round-tripping. In this case, you have saved your document as XML. When you bring it into Frame again, it will take on the new EDD assuming you have updated the template on which the structured application is based. I am a little fuzzy on this since I do not do round-tripping.

Van

[Russ Ward]

Hi Mark,

I assume you are importing XML. Make sure that:

- You imported the EDD into the template used by the structure application. A structure app uses a structured template, not a standalone EDD file.

- The attribute isn't simply hidden because it's unspecified. If there is a + sign to the right of the element in the Structure View, click that, maybe it's hiding there.

If you are opening a structured Frame file instead, import the revised EDD into that file, and the attribute should appear right away.

Russ

[_Mark_FM_Peters_]

Hi Van and Russ,

Importing the EDD catalog into my template fixed the issue.

Thanks to both of you!

Mark