ER Diagram

With Astah Professional, you can create ER Diagrams (Entity-Relationship Diagrams) in IDEF1X or IE notations.
Also, you can auto-generate ER diagrams by reversing tables from your database. All models are stored in one place and can be converted to other models like UML Class diagram models and vice versa.

Creating ER Diagram

1. Go to [Diagram] – [ER Diagram] from Main Menu.
   
   
   
2. In the tree view, the Domain and ER Diagram will be created under the [ER Model] package.
   

Auto-generate ER Diagram

You can generate ER Diagrams after importing database tables with DB Reverse Plug-in.

1. Right-click on the target ER Model in the Tree and select [Auto Create ER Diagram].
   
   
   
2. A diagram will be generated and opened automatically.
   

Logical and Physical name

Each model has can have both Logical and Physical names.


There are three ways to switch the display of names logical or physical.

1. Right-click on the diagram and select [Diagram Model Type] from its pop-up menu.


2. Click [Diagram Model Type] in the Structure Tree.


3. Switch from ER Diagrams’ Property View (Bottom-left pane).

TIPS – Set default name type

You can set logical or physical name as default in the [Tools] – [System Properties] – [ER Diagram].

ER Entity

Creating an ER Entity

You can find out 5 ways to create an ER Entity in the Diagram Editor page.

Add Primary keys and Attributes

There are a few ways to add Primary keys and Attributes to ER Entities.
One is using “Suggest Feature”. When you have a mouse over an ER Entity, a few mini icons will appear. To add a Primary key, click the red button and to add an Attribute, click the orange one.


Once you add one, you can create another by hitting the [Enter] key.

Since version 8.5, you are able to add Primary keys and Attributes by pasting text.

Display Level of ER Entities

There are three display levels for ER Entities. Entity, Primary key and Attribute.

You can change it from ER Entities pop-up menu – [Display Level].

Domains

Add a single ER Domain

You can create ER Domains from pop-up menu of [Domain] in the tree view.

Add plural ER Domains

You can also add more than one ER Domain at once.
1. Click [Add ER Domains] in the tree view or go to [Tools] – [ER Diagram] – [Add ER Domains].

2. Specify the domain data in the list.

Add domain to an ER Entity

You can drag a Domain from the Tree to an ER Entity directly on the diagram.

Relationships

Select Identifying Relationship, Non-Identifying Relationship or Many-to many Relationships from the Tool palette and click two Entities to connect.

IDEF1X	IE	Relationship type
		Identifying Relationship
		Non-Identifying Relationship
		Many-to-many Relationship

1. Choose which type of relationship you want to create.
   
   
   
2. Click two Entities.
   
   
   
3. The relationship is now created. Foreign keys would be automatically added depending on the relationship type.
   
   

SQL Export

1. You can export ER Entities into SQL (SQL-92). To export, go to [Tools] – [ER Diagram] – [SQL Export], then select Entities you want to export.
   
   
2. [SQL Export] Dialog opens. Specify the location where you want to export to.
   
   
   
3. In the [Option], you can specify more detailed settings.
   

TIPS: Export Entity Definition as a comment

You can export the Entity’s definition as a comment by configuring so in the [Option] menu.

ER Data Type

1. Go to [Tools] – [ER Diagram] – [Set ER Data Type] from main menu.
   
   
   
2. Click [Add] button to add a new ER Data type.
   
   
   
   
3. Enter the new Data Type in this dialogue and click [OK].
   

TIPS: Set Default Data Type

You can set the default Data type for an Entity attribute by marking it at [Default Type].

Export Entity Definition Report

You can export a list of ER Domains, Entities and each Entity’s detailed information to Excel file.

1. Go to [Tools] – [ER Diagram] – [Export Entity Definition Report].


2. A list of domains, entities and each entity information would be exported.


3. Enter the new Data Type in this dialogue and click [OK].

Export format of Attributes and its TaggedValues