5.5 Dynamically Updating Text with Element Name or Element Attributes

IMPORTANT:Deleting elements that are bound to a graphic in the Layout view causes the lightning bolt symbol to disappear and the graphic to lose its “liveness” in appearance. The graphic is no longer bound to the element’s state, property, and so on, but the graphic remains in the drawing. If the element is restored, the graphic reanimates and the binding is restored. Otherwise, drop another element on the graphic to bind it.

It is possible to add text and bind it to the selected element name, DName, or attribute. If the element name or attribute changes, the text in the drawing is updated automatically.

5.5.1 Adding Text

To add text to the drawing:

  1. On the drawing toolbar, click (Add Text).

  2. Click the location in the drawing where the text should display to open the Text dialog box:

  3. Enter the text, then click OK.

    The text displays in the view:

    Layout View Drawing

    The default text is black, 14 point with no stroke.

  4. Edit the Properties and Text palette panes to change the color or font.

5.5.2 Binding Text

To bind text to the name, DName, or attribute of the element currently selected in the Explorer pane:

  1. Select the text.

  2. In the Explorer pane, locate the Content Binding section.

    The following illustrates the Element property pane associated with text:

  3. Select one of the following radio buttons:

    • Use Element Name: Displays the element’s name.

    • Use Element DName: Display the element’s distinguished name.

    • Use Element Attribute: Enter the attribute to display, then click Set.

      The list of valid attributes displays on the element’s Properties page: Element, Last Reported, Condition, and so on.

    The text updates to display the selected content. Thereafter, the text updates automatically whenever the associated element content changes.