# Data Dictionary Maintenance

Copy Data Dictionary |

The Copy Data Dictionary function is used to copy the data dictionary definition from an existing file to a new file.

Access to this function is from the Data Dictionary Maintenance main panel where you first select the file to copy from, and then click the Copy toolbar button to invoke the Copy Data Dictionary window.

(Copy Data Dictionary was added in PxPlus 2014 - Feature Pack 1.)

This window consists of the following:

Copy Data Dictionary From |
Name | Name of the file to copy from, which defaults to the file selected on the Data Dictionary Maintenance main panel. To copy from a different data dictionary file, click the Query button or type the name of the existing file.
Description | Description of the selected file.
#### Note: You cannot copy from the {Global Dictionary}. (The Query button was added in PxPlus 2017.)
Copy Data Dictionary To |
Name | Enter the file name to copy to, which enables subsequent fields. If the name already exists in the dictionary, a message displays and your input is subsequently cleared.
Description | Enter the new description for the file name. Maximum description: 80 characters.
Physical File | Pathname of the actual database file - either a Fixed value or Expression; e.g. Fixed: XX_AR or Expression: %COMPANY$+"_AR". Click the Query button to select an existing file. If the file does not exist, the following message displays with Yes/No responses: "Unable to access file: xxx Use pathname anyway?" If the file exists with a dictionary, a message displays and your input is subsequently cleared. If the file exists without a dictionary, no message displays and you are allowed to continue with the entry.
Copy Elements | Copies the defined elements from the selected copy from file to the new file. By default, this check box is selected.
Copy Key Definitions | (Available when Copy Elements check box is selected) Copies the key definitions from the selected copy from file to the new file. By default, this check box is selected.
(The Copy Key Definitions option was added in PxPlus 2017.)
OK | Click OK to proceed with the Copy process. A new data dictionary definition with the defined Name, Description and Physical File is created. If the Copy Elements check box was selected, the elements are also copied.
Exit | Closes the Copy Data Dictionary window with no further action taken and returns to the Data Dictionary Maintenance main panel.