Using the Open Dialog

When you select Open from the File menu in the main window or an editor, the Opendialog is displayed, listing object definitions to select and open.

Open from the Main Window

In the main window, select Open from the File menu to list all objects in the Optim Directory. You can open as many editors as you require and can have several instances of the same editor open at one time.

table map open dialog, explained below

The Open dialog is divided into two areas. The object types and identifiers (object tree) are arranged alphabetically on the left and the corresponding objects are listed on the right. Objects are listed according to the appropriate naming convention. See Use a Pattern for further information on Naming Conventions.

Note: When opened, the display is focused on the object identifier and object definition list last displayed. The descriptive text in the title bar and the labels above the object tree and grid change according to the object type you select.

Secured Objects

If Optim Security is initialized for the Directory, the Secured column is displayed and includes the following icons:

lock icon for secured objects
The object has an Access Control List.
unlock icon for unsecured object
The object does not have an Access Control List.

For more information, see Object Security.

Open from an Editor or Dialog

When you select Open from a File menu on an editor or dialog, the appropriate list of objects is displayed. In all other ways, the appearance and functions of the Open dialog are the same as when the dialog is opened from the main window.

Note: Several instances of an editor can be open at one time, but if you open an object definition from within an object editor, the new information replaces the current display, so you should save the current definition to prevent losing your changes.

Object Tree

The object tree lists object types and identifiers. Objects associated with a selected identifier are listed on the right. The object list varies to match the identifier you select. When you select an identifier, the Pattern value changes to the identifier name followed by the symbol, %.

To list identifiers for an object type:

  • Double-click the object type.
  • Click the plus sign to the left of the object type.
  • Highlight the object type, and then press plus sign (on the numeric keypad) or right arrow.

To display the object list associated with an identifier:

  • Double-click the identifier.
  • Highlight the identifier, and then click Open or press Enter.
  • Select the identifier and click Refresh or press Alt+R.

To close a list of identifiers for an object type:

  • Double-click the object type.
  • Click the minus sign to the left of the object type.
  • Highlight the object type, and then press minus sign (on the numeric keypad) or Alt+Enter.