Paste as Shortcut

You can reference entities across models by copying them and pasting them as shortcuts into other models. By default, a Shortcut is read-only and stays synchronized with its source until it is desynchronized.

Reuse any entity using the Paste as Shortcut option from the Home menu. You can update the source entity and its attributes in the source model, and then use the Sync Shortcut option to automatically refresh all linked shortcuts.

When local changes are required, desynchronize at the entity or attribute level to make the Shortcut editable, allowing scoped edits while the rest remains in sync.

This approach ensures data integrity, improves data governance, and reduces duplication.

This feature is supported for the following database models:

  • Azure Synapse

  • DB2

  • Informix

  • MySQL

  • ODBC

  • Oracle

  • PostgreSQL

  • SAP

  • Snowflake

  • SQL Server

  • Teradata

Creating Shortcuts

You can copy entities and paste them as shortcuts into different models. However, you can not copy attributes or columns between models. Also, the Paste as Shortcut feature isn't supported for non-relational databases.

The source model must be saved either locally or in the Mart for the Paste as Shortcut option to work. If the source model is not saved, the system cannot create a valid reference for the Shortcut.

To create a shortcut:

  1. Open a model and select one or more entities that you want to copy.
  2. On the Home tab, click Copy.
  3. Go to the target model, and then click Paste as Shortcut.

    4. The object is pasted as a shortcut in the target model. The new objects are displayed in the Model Explorer.

Syncing Shortcuts

To synchronize shortcuts with the source entity:

  1. Open the source model that contains the entity from which the shortcuts were created.

  2. Right-click the source entity in the diagram.

  3. Click Sync Shortcut.

Similarly, you can synchronize at the attribute level. Synchronizing updates all related shortcuts in other models.

To synchronize shortcuts, all related models must be open—both the source and the target.

Desynchronizing Shortcuts

To desynchronize shortcuts at the entity level:

  1. Open the source model that contains the source entity.

  2. Right-click the entity in the diagram or in the Model Explorer.

  3. Click Properties. The Properties editor opens.

  4. On the Shortcut tab, select the properties you want to allow not to be in sync.

  5. Click Close.

  6. Right-click the entity in the diagram, click Sync Shortcut.

To desynchronize shortcuts at the attribute level:

  1. Open the source model that contains the entity.

  2. Right-click the attribute in the diagram or in the Model Explorer.

  3. Click Properties. The Properties editor opens.

  4. On the Shortcut tab, select the properties you want to allow not to be in sync.

  5. Click Close.

  6. Right-click the attribute, click Sync Shortcut.

Desynchronizing an attribute or entity removes its synchronization with the original object.

After desynchronization:

  • Changes to the original object no longer affect the shortcut.

  • An entity is desynchronized, its attributes can still be in sync—and vice versa.

  • Attributes remain in the shortcut but become independent. You can modify or delete them without affecting the original object.

To check the location or the properties allowed not to be in sync, go to the target model, right-click the entity shortcut, and open the Properties editor. On the Shortcut tab, you can view the location and the properties.

Similarly, you can check which attribute properties are allowed not to be in sync.