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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.

ClosedSee 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.

ClosedSee 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.

ClosedSee 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.)