Feature Type and Attribute Property Menus (Readers and Writers)

Working with Reader (Source) Feature Types

Right-click on a Feature Type, and choose an option from the command menu.

See all menu choices for source (Reader) feature types:

Cut, Copy, Delete	Performs these functions on the selected feature type only.
Duplicate on Writer	Duplicates the feature type on the writer side, and automatically connects all the attributes.
Bring to Front, Send to Back	Useful if you have a large workspace, with many feature types.
Zoom to Feature Type	Zooms and focuses the canvas on the selected feature type.
Update	If you add or rename an attribute, this function allows you to update feature types without having to remove and reload them.
Enable Only This Feature Type	Disables (and grays out) all other feature types
Disable	Disables this feature type. Menu selection changes to Enable when the feature type has been disabled.
Connect Inspector	Connects an Inspector transformer.
Connect Logger	Connects a Logger transformer.
Attach Annotation	Add a comment associated with this feature. The comment, connected by a leader line will stay joined to its associated feature type.
Show Summary Annotation	Shows hidden object information. This can be useful when printing a workspace.
Expose Attributes	For advanced FME users: allows you to "expose" or make visible built-in FME attributes.
Pair With	Connects selected reader and writer feature types.
Disconnect	Removes all connections.
Inspect	Displays the data in the the FME Data Inspector.
Open Containing Folder	Opens a Windows Explorer window showing the location of the source data.
Properties	Rename the feature type, or view or edit the feature type parameters and attributes. (This is the same as clicking the gear icon on the top right-hand side of the feature type.)

Working with Destination (Writer) Feature Types

Right-click on a Feature Type, and choose an option from the command menu.

See all menu choices for destination (Writer) feature types:

Update	If you add or rename an attribute, this function allows you to update feature types without having to remove and reload them.
Enable Only This Feature Type	Disables (and grays out) all other feature types
Disable	Disables this feature type. Menu selection changes to Enable when the feature type has been disabled.
Add Attribute	Adds a new attribute. Note that you will have to physically connect this attribute with its source.
Expose Attributes	For advanced FME users: allows you to "expose" or make visible built-in FME attributes.
Copy Attributes from Feature Type	Duplicates the attributes from another feature type.
Copy Attributes from Transformer	Duplicates the attributes from a transformer.
Sort Attributes	Alphabetizes the attribute names.
Rename (F2)	Type a new name and press Enter.
Attach Annotation	Allows you to add a comment associated with this feature. The comment, connected by a leader line, will stay joined to its associated feature type.
Show Summary Annotations	Shows hidden object information. This can be useful when printing out a workspace.
Pair With	Connects selected source and destination types.
Disconnect	Removes all connections.
Inspect	Displays the data in the FME Data Inspector.
Open Containing Folder	Open the folder that contains the output data.
Properties	Rename the feature type, or view or edit the feature type parameters and attributes. (This is the same as clicking the gear icon on the top right-hand side of the feature type.)

Working with Attributes

Right-click on either a reader or writer attribute, and choose an option from the command menu.

See all menu choices for editing attributes

Rename Attribute	Type a new name and press Enter. Note that you will lose any association with any previously connected attribute.
Delete Attribute	Remove attribute from the list.
Disconnect Attribute	Disconnect attribute from its source. This is the same as selecting and deleting the connection.
Set to Constant Value	Assign a fixed value to the attribute (writer attributes only).
Move Attribute up/down	Moves the attribute up or down in the list. You might want to do this so the display looks visually cleaner, or to organize attributes for ease of reference.
Properties	Rename, view or edit the attribute. (This is the same as clicking the gear icon on the top right-hand side of the feature type, and clicking the User Attributes tab.)