How to Move a Relationship Between Grid Pages

Large maps include many sets of functoids and links, which can make it difficult for you to identify the links joining multiple functoids. In such a scenario, you might want to move a similar set of functoids and links to a different grid page to make the map more readable. This topic provides step-by-step instructions to perform the operation.

You can move a relationship from one grid page to another, in the same map only, in one of the following ways:

  • Using the Move to Page dialog box

  • Using the drag-and-drop of the ribbon-selected functoid(s) (and links)

Important

You can move one or more functoids and their links. When you move a relationship, the labels, comments, and the constant values (along with the correct place holders) associated with that relationship are retained.

Important

You cannot drag-and-drop only links to another grid page.

Prerequisites

These instructions require that BizTalk Mapper is running.

To move a relationship using Move To Page dialog box

  1. On the map, select the grid page from which you want to move a relationship.

  2. Right-click a functoid or a link in the relationship you want to move and then click Move to Page. A message saying that all the selected map items(s), along with related links and functoids, will be moved is displayed. Click OK.

    Note

    To disable the message popup, in the Visual Studio menu, go to Tools, click Options, click BizTalk Mapper, click General, and then uncheck the Move to page option. For more information about general options, see How to Customize General Settings in BizTalk Mapper.

    Tip

    Alternatively, you can press CTRL+M, CTRL+M to open the Move to Page dialog box. For a list of Mapper shortcuts, see BizTalk Mapper Keyboard Shortcuts.

    Moving selected relationship to a new page

  3. In the Move to Page dialog box, select the target grid page to which you want to move the relationship, and then click OK.

    Note

    You can also create a new page by selecting *(add new page), and then clicking OK.

    Note

    Alternatively, you can press CTRL+M, CTRL+A to add a new grid page in a map. For a list of Mapper shortcuts, see BizTalk Mapper Keyboard Shortcuts.

    Selecting the target grid page

    The selected functoid/link, along with the related functoids and links, is moved to the new grid page. The figure below shows the selected relationship (which was in Page 3) moved to Page 1.

    Selected relationship is moved to a new page

To move a relationship using drag-and-drop

  1. On the map, select the grid page from which you want to move a relationship.

  2. Select the functoid(s) (and link(s)) you want to move to another grid page. This recursively selects all links that connect to the functoids in the selection.

  3. Drag the selection to the page (on the page tab) where you want to move the relationship.

    Warning

    Do not release the mouse till you perform step 4.

  4. When the target grid page comes into focus (in the above figure, Page 1 is in focus), drop the selection on an empty cell on the grid page. The selected relationship is moved to the new grid page.

See Also

Working with Grid Pages