Visio Starter Tutorial

Visio Starter Visio Starter TutorialTutorial

Developed from Material by Daniel L. Developed from Material by Daniel L. SilverSilver

http://plato.acadiau.ca/courses/comp/dsilver/3513/Workshops/http://plato.acadiau.ca/courses/comp/dsilver/3513/Workshops/

Data_Model_Tutorial.htmData_Model_Tutorial.htm

OutlineOutline Getting StartedGetting Started Entities Entities Relationships Relationships Fine-tuning the drawing Fine-tuning the drawing

Obtain and InstallObtain and Install Sinclair bookstoreSinclair bookstore Use standard install processUse standard install process Tutorial assumes default installation Tutorial assumes default installation

settingssettings Our classroom already has Visio Our classroom already has Visio

installedinstalled

Opening ScreenOpening Screen Can choose various categories and templatesCan choose various categories and templates We will focus on entity relationshipsWe will focus on entity relationships

• Select Database from Category Menu

• Then select Database Model Diagram from Template menu

ResultiResulting ng

ScreenScreenOpens new blank worksheet with basic shapes used in creating Entity Relationship Diagrams available for selection

Making Things EasierMaking Things Easier Change worksheet view from portrait, to Change worksheet view from portrait, to

landscapelandscape Do this by clicking File --> Page SetupDo this by clicking File --> Page Setup Then select landscapeThen select landscape

EntitiesEntities Entities represent tables in a databaseEntities represent tables in a database Independent entities do not rely on each Independent entities do not rely on each

other for identificationother for identification Dependent entities do rely on each Dependent entities do rely on each

other for identificationother for identification

Creating Entities in VisioCreating Entities in Visio Click on Entity in the green Entity Relationship Click on Entity in the green Entity Relationship

menumenu Drag the shape onto your worksheet Drag the shape onto your worksheet

Refining Raw EntitiesRefining Raw Entities Define your Entity's attributesDefine your Entity's attributes

name, columns, primary keys, …name, columns, primary keys, … Click on the new Entity shape to open the Click on the new Entity shape to open the

database properties windows database properties windows

Continue to RefineContinue to Refine Switch to the Columns field of the Category menuSwitch to the Columns field of the Category menu Used to enter any attributes that an entity may have.Used to enter any attributes that an entity may have. Allows you to specify the primary key Allows you to specify the primary key

uniquely identifies entityuniquely identifies entity Can also specify those columns which are required fields of the Can also specify those columns which are required fields of the

entityentity order in which you enter fields does not matterorder in which you enter fields does not matter data type changed by clicking on the field and selecting a type from the data type changed by clicking on the field and selecting a type from the

menumenu

Example FieldsExample Fields

Changing FontsChanging Fonts Can change font size by selecting Can change font size by selecting

the entity then picking a size from the entity then picking a size from the drop-down menu.the drop-down menu. can also change other font attributescan also change other font attributes family, color, alignment, ...family, color, alignment, ...

Notice that required fields are Notice that required fields are shown in boldfaceshown in boldface all others are shown in standard faceall others are shown in standard face

Example FontsExample Fonts

Creating RelationshipsCreating Relationships Relation lines are used to show the Relation lines are used to show the

relationship between data in two tables relationship between data in two tables (Entities)(Entities)

Click the Relationship connector in the Click the Relationship connector in the Entity Relationship menuEntity Relationship menu

Drag and Drop the shape to any blank Drag and Drop the shape to any blank space on your current worksheet space on your current worksheet best to put it near or between the Entities it best to put it near or between the Entities it

will associate will associate

Example RelationshipExample Relationship

Refining RelationshipsRefining Relationships Must identify which entity is the Parent Table Must identify which entity is the Parent Table

and which is the Child Tableand which is the Child Table Child Entity is easily identified as the entity Child Entity is easily identified as the entity

which depends on information from another which depends on information from another entity to describe itselfentity to describe itself

Parent Entity supplies this information to the Parent Entity supplies this information to the Child through their relationshipChild through their relationship

Click the end of the Relationship Connector Click the end of the Relationship Connector with the arrowheadwith the arrowhead

Drag arrowhead over to the border of the Drag arrowhead over to the border of the Parent Table until the border turns redParent Table until the border turns red

Parent Side of Parent Side of RelationshipRelationship

The Child SideThe Child Side Drag the other end of the arrow to the border Drag the other end of the arrow to the border

of the Child Entity until that border turns red of the Child Entity until that border turns red

Associating AttributesAssociating Attributes Must specify which Must specify which

attribute in Child attribute in Child Entity matches which Entity matches which attribute from Parent attribute from Parent EntityEntity

Double click on the Double click on the RelationshipRelationship

Opens new menu at Opens new menu at bottom of screen bottom of screen

Highlight value in Highlight value in Parent Entity and Parent Entity and value in Child Entity value in Child Entity to be mappedto be mapped

Relationship MiscRelationship Misc Notice in the Child Entity, that next to the Notice in the Child Entity, that next to the

attribute which is mapped to a value in the attribute which is mapped to a value in the Parent Entity appears an FK for Foreign KeyParent Entity appears an FK for Foreign Key shows that a particular value from the Child Entity shows that a particular value from the Child Entity

is reliant on the Primary Key of the Parent Entityis reliant on the Primary Key of the Parent Entity Click on Miscellaneous in the Categories Click on Miscellaneous in the Categories

menu to specify cardinality of the relationship menu to specify cardinality of the relationship with regard to the Parent Entitywith regard to the Parent Entity

Can reorganize diagram without harm to Can reorganize diagram without harm to relationshipsrelationships move an Entity to a desired position and Visio will move an Entity to a desired position and Visio will

move the relationship(s) along with itmove the relationship(s) along with it

Drawing Style OptionsDrawing Style Options Many basic drawing style options can be accessed Many basic drawing style options can be accessed

by selecting Database/Options/Documentby selecting Database/Options/Document

Relation SymbolsRelation Symbols General tab lets you select symbologyGeneral tab lets you select symbology

IDEF1X or RelationalIDEF1X or Relational also lets you select which set of entity names to display also lets you select which set of entity names to display

Items to DisplayItems to Display Table tab lets you select the items to displayTable tab lets you select the items to display

PK, FK, secondary indices, non-key fields, data typesPK, FK, secondary indices, non-key fields, data types Can also display primary key fields at the top of Can also display primary key fields at the top of

each entity or in their actual physical ordereach entity or in their actual physical order Select Physical Order option in order to have Select Physical Order option in order to have

the two SSN fields displayed in their original the two SSN fields displayed in their original positions instead of at the top of tblParent and positions instead of at the top of tblParent and tblChild above the horizontal lines. tblChild above the horizontal lines.

Example Items Display Example Items Display DialogDialog

Displaying RelationshipsDisplaying Relationships Relationship tab lets you display Relationship tab lets you display

relationships as arrows or as crow's feetrelationships as arrows or as crow's feet Select Crow's Feet optionSelect Crow's Feet option Notice that mother-child relationships Notice that mother-child relationships

are shown as mandatory on the one-side are shown as mandatory on the one-side and optional on the many-sideand optional on the many-side

Relationship Display Relationship Display DialogDialog