Canvas Tools
The ERD Canvas provides a collection of tools that help you design, edit, and organize your database schema efficiently.
These tools allow you to create database objects, navigate large diagrams, and manage your workspace without leaving the canvas.
Before you begin
Before using the canvas tools, ensure that you have:
- Created a Database Schema
- Opened the ERD Canvas
- Selected a database model type
Toolbar overview
The toolbar provides quick access to the most commonly used actions.
Depending on your workspace and model type, available tools may include:
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Add Table | Create a new table or entity |
| Relationship Tool | Connect tables with relationships |
| Selection Tool | Select and edit objects |
| Hand Tool | Move around the canvas |
| Zoom In | Increase the zoom level |
| Zoom Out | Decrease the zoom level |
| Fit to Screen | Display the entire diagram |
| Undo | Revert the last action |
| Redo | Restore the last reverted action |
Selection Tool
The Selection Tool allows you to interact with objects on the canvas.
Using this tool, you can:
- Select tables
- Select relationships
- Move objects
- Resize objects
- Open object properties
[!TIP] Use the Selection Tool as your default editing mode.
Add Table
The Add Table tool creates a new database table on the canvas.
After creating a table, you can:
- Add columns
- Configure keys
- Create relationships
- Edit table properties
See also:
Relationship Tool
The Relationship Tool connects two tables together.
After selecting a source table, drag the connection to another table and configure the relationship type.
Supported relationship types include:
- One-to-One
- One-to-Many
- Many-to-Many
See also:
Navigation tools
Large database schemas can become difficult to navigate.
Navigation tools help you move around the canvas quickly.
Available actions include:
- Pan
- Zoom In
- Zoom Out
- Fit to Screen
- Mini Map navigation
Undo and Redo
Mistakes are a normal part of database design.
Qubase allows you to quickly reverse or restore actions.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Undo | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Shift + Z |
Context menu
Right-clicking an object opens a context menu.
Depending on the selected object, available actions may include:
- Rename
- Duplicate
- Delete
- Edit Properties
- Copy
- Paste
The available actions depend on the selected object type.
Editing tools
After selecting a database object, you can:
- Rename tables
- Edit columns
- Configure constraints
- Modify relationships
- Update descriptions
Changes are reflected immediately on the ERD Canvas.
Best practices
- Use the Selection Tool for most editing tasks.
- Keep the canvas organized while designing.
- Frequently use Fit to Screen when working with large schemas.
- Use Undo instead of recreating objects after mistakes.
- Review your diagram before generating SQL.