Working With Records

Working with Screens

Overview

This guide explains what each available screen in OpenEdge Data Administration is used for.

Where Interface Overview explains the main layout of the application, this guide focuses on the screens you can open and the kind of work each screen supports.

The available screens are the same in both the VS Code extension and the native application unless noted otherwise.

Before You Start

Before you begin, make sure:

• Data Administration is open
• the correct context is selected
• the correct database is selected when the screen requires one
• the backend is running when you are using database-dependent features

The names in this guide follow the current application structure:

• Data dictionary is the main schema area
• Admin is the sidebar section that contains administrative screens
• Reports contains the Quick Reports section

Data Dictionary Screen

The Data Dictionary area is used for browsing and maintaining schema objects.

Databases

The Databases section is the main starting point for Data Administration.

From here, you can:

• choose the database you want to work with
• move into the schema-oriented screens
• switch contexts and refresh the current database list

Use this screen when you want to begin working with a database or change to a different one.

Tables

The Tables section is used to browse and maintain tables in the selected database.

From here, you can:

• review the available tables
• select a table to inspect its structure
• create a new table
• edit an existing table
• delete a table
• move into related field, index, and table property views

Use this screen when you want to work with table-level schema definitions.

Fields

The Fields section is used to inspect and maintain fields for the selected table.

From here, you can:

• review the fields that belong to the selected table
• inspect field attributes such as type, format, label, and validation-related settings
• create a new field
• edit an existing field
• delete a field

Use this screen when you want to manage the structure of a table at field level.

Indexes

The Indexes section is used to inspect and maintain indexes for the selected table.

From here, you can:

• review the indexes that belong to the selected table
• inspect index properties such as uniqueness and primary status
• review the fields that participate in an index
• create a new index
• edit an existing index
• delete an index

Use this screen when you want to manage lookup, uniqueness, or key definitions for a table.

Sequences

The Sequences section is used to inspect and maintain database sequences.

From here, you can:

• review the available sequences
• inspect sequence settings such as current value, increment, minimum, maximum, and cycling behavior
• create a new sequence
• edit an existing sequence
• delete a sequence

Use this screen when you want to manage generated number behavior in the database.

Dump and Load Screens

The dump and load screens are used for exporting and importing database structure and related data files.

Dump Definitions

The Dump Definitions screen is used to export schema definitions to a .df file.

From here, you can:

• choose which tables should be included
• choose the output location for the generated file

Use this screen when you want to export schema structure from the current database.

Dump Incremental Definitions

The Dump Incremental Definitions screen is used to create an incremental .df file based on differences between databases or schema states.

From here, you can:

• choose the comparison database
• generate an incremental schema definition file
• capture only the changes that need to be transferred

Use this screen when you want to prepare a smaller schema change package instead of a full schema dump.

Dump Data

The Dump Data screen is used to export table data to .d files.

From here, you can:

• select one or more tables
• choose an output location for the generated data files
• optionally provide a code page

Use this screen when you want to export table contents for transfer, backup, or loading elsewhere.

Dump Sequence Values

The Dump Sequence Values screen is used to export current sequence values.

From here, you can:

• create a file containing the current values of database sequences
• preserve sequence state for later reuse or migration

Use this screen when you want to keep sequence counters aligned across environments.

Load Definitions

The Load Definitions screen is used to import a .df schema file into the selected database.

From here, you can:

• choose the definition file to load
• choose load and error-handling options
• start the schema load operation
• apply schema changes to the current database

Use this screen when you want to apply schema updates from a prepared .df file.

Load Data

The Load Data screen is used to import .d files into the selected database.

From here, you can:

• choose the table you want to load data into
• choose the source file to load
• include hidden tables when needed
• choose LOB-related options
• define the acceptable error percentage
• choose whether errors should be displayed on screen
• start the data load operation

Use this screen when you want to import data that was previously dumped from a database.

Load Sequence Values

The Load Sequence Values menu entry currently opens a screen titled Load Sequence Definitions.

From here, you can:

• choose the input file
• optionally provide a code page
• load sequence-related definitions into the current database

Use this screen when you want to load sequence-related .df content through the current implementation.

Database Administration Screens

The administration screens are grouped under the Admin section in the sidebar.

Within Admin, the current visible groups are:

• Dump Data and Definitions
• Load Data and Definitions
• Database Identification

The administration screens are used for database-level properties and identification information.

Database Properties

The Database Properties screen is used to review database-level information.

From here, you can:

• inspect general database properties
• review structural or identification-related settings
• understand the current database configuration before making changes elsewhere

Use this screen when you need a database-level view instead of an individual schema object view.

Report Screens

The report screens are grouped under Reports and then Quick Reports in the sidebar.

The report screens provide structured, report-style views of schema and administration information.

Quick Table Report

The Quick Table Report screen is used to review table information in report form.

From here, you can:

• inspect table-level summaries across the current database
• review table-oriented information in a compact list

Use this screen when you need an overview of tables instead of editing a single table.

Quick Field Report

The Quick Field Report screen is used to review field information in report form.

From here, you can:

• inspect field definitions across tables
• review field-oriented information in a report layout

Use this screen when you need a broader overview of field definitions.

Quick Index Report

The Quick Index Report screen is used to review index information in report form.

From here, you can:

• inspect index definitions across the database
• review index-oriented information in a compact overview

Use this screen when you need to review index structure without opening tables one by one.

Sequence Report

The Sequence Report screen is used to review sequence information in report form.

From here, you can:

• inspect sequence values and settings together
• compare sequences across the current database

Use this screen when you need a report-style overview of sequences.

View Report

The View Report screen is used to review database views in report form.

From here, you can:

• inspect defined views
• review view-related information in a structured list

Use this screen when you need an overview of database views.

Trigger Report

The Trigger Report screen is used to review database trigger information.

From here, you can:

• inspect trigger definitions in report form
• review trigger-related information across the database

Use this screen when you need an overview of configured triggers.

User Report

The User Report screen is used to review user-related database information.

From here, you can:

• inspect user entries in report form
• review database user information in one place

Use this screen when you need a report-style overview of configured database users.

Troubleshooting Tips

• The screen does not show expected data
  • Confirm that the correct database is selected.
  • Confirm that the screen you opened requires a selected database.
  • Refresh the view if you recently changed connections or schema information.
• A screen action is unavailable
  • Confirm that the required object is selected first.
  • Confirm that the backend is running.
• The wrong database information is shown
  • Check the current context, folder, or project profile.
  • Reopen the screen after changing the active database if needed.