Editing Attributes

When you point the cursor over an element in the ContentMap, you can see a hint with its attributes.

You can edit attributes of an element:

Add a new attribute.
Delete an attribute.
Change the value of an attribute.

To edit attributes of an element, do the following:

Place the cursor on the element.
Place the cursor in the element in the Editing Window or click the element in the ContentMap.
Call up the Element Attributes Dialog.
To call up the Element Attributes Dialog (or move the focus to the docked Element Attributes Dialog), do one of the following:
- Press Alt-Enter.
- Choose Element > Element Attributes .
- Click the Element Attributes button on the toolbar.
- Right-click and select Element Attributes from the context menu.
The Element Attributes Dialog will appear.

Figure 1. Element Attributes Dialog

Note:
The Element Attributes Dialog is a " liquid dialog": it can have a different, docked appearance. For more information about liquid dialogs, see "Liquid" Dialog Boxes and Dialog Docking.
In the Element Attributes Dialog, edit attributes of the element:
1. Add an attribute.
  To add an attribute, do the following:
  1. Click the Add Attribute button .
  2. In the Name combo-box, select or type the attribute's name.
    
    Note:
    A list of allowed attributes is provided if validation is on.
  3. In the Value combo-box, select or type the attribute's value.
    
    Note:
    To insert a relative file name as the attribute's value, browse for the file using the Browse button .
  4. Press Enter.
2. Change an attribute's value.
  To change the value of an attribute, do the following:
  1. In the Value combo-box, select or type the new value of the attribute.
  2. Press Enter.
  Note:
  To restore the default value of an attribute, click the attribute and click the Set Default Value button .
3. Delete an attribute
  To delete an attribute, click the attribute and click the Delete Attribute button .
Note:
The meanings of icons are as follows:
- This attribute has a default value defined in Schema.
- This is a required attribute.
- Attribute has a fixed value.
- Attribute has ID type.
- Attribute has IDREF type.
- Attribute has a custom type (Schema data-type).
Note:
You can call up help for an attribute.
Close the dialog.
To close the Element Attributes Dialog, click the Close button.

Example. Changing an attribute.

Let's change the role attribute of the emphasis element:

Click the "Apple" emphasis element.
Press Alt-Enter to call up the Element Attributes Dialog.
In the Element Attributes Dialog, click the Add Attribute button and select the role attribute.
Type the underline value and press Enter.

The emphasis is now underlined.
Type the bold value of the role attribute and press Enter.

The emphasis is now bold.