Splitting Entities

This feature enables you to split one entity into two entities. If your model contains entities that perform multiple functions within that model, you could create one entity for one function, and a second entity for the other function. Using the organization chart example from Write to Model, you might want to create two entities out of the entity for Jim Waterman, who has employee ID 3. Jim is a manager to Marcus David (employee ID 12), but he is also an employee of Tom Smith (employee ID 1). Therefore, in that model, you might want a manager entity and an employee entity.

In addition to splitting one entity into two, you can also determine which properties and relationships are tied to one or both entities.

With an existing model open, click the entity you want to split.
Click the Split button on the Editing ribbon or right-click and select Split entity.
This displays the Split Entity dialog box. The Original Entity is in the middle, New Entity 1 is on the left, and New Entity 2 is on the right. By default, all properties and relationships will appear for all three entities.
If you want to change the labels for the new entities, enter new names in the Label field.
If necessary, you can change the entity type for either new entity in the Type field.

Note: Each entity must have a unique combination of label and type.
Determine properties tied to each entity by clicking a property and clicking the arrow buttons to move them between the Properties boxes.
Determine relationships tied to each entity by selecting a relationship and clicking the arrow buttons to move them between the Relationships boxes.

A completed split looks like this:

This updates the model with the two new entities. You can see that New Entity 1 is shown as an employee to Tom Smith, and New Entity 2 is shown as a manager to Marcus David.