Creating a Collection within a Data Model

 

When you use the Select Collection Data Item option in an activity, you need to select a data item that is flagged as a collection. Additionally, you can create a collection within a data model and use that collection with your activities.

 

To create a collection within a data model, you must have an existing data model that represents an "item" for which you want to create a collection.
 

1. Check out the solution.
    
2. Click the Create tab. The Solution Items ribbon menu is displayed.
     
3. Click New Data Model. The Data Model window is displayed with a default element.
     
   

   Note:

   The default element displayed in this window is called the root. The name of this element will be the name of the data model.

   
     
4. In the Data Model window, right-click the root element and click Rename. The default element name, which is also the data model name, is highlighted.
      
5. Type a name for the data model. The default name is replaced with the new name.
     
   

   Note:

   By default, the name for the new data model will be displayed as Data Model 1.

   
     
6. In the Data Model window, right-click the root element. A shortcut menu is displayed.
        
7. Select Add Child. A shortcut menu is displayed.
        
8. Select the Linked Element type. The new linked element is displayed as a child element.
       
9. In the Properties section, select the Is Collection check box.
     
10. In the Name field, type a new name for the linked element.
     
11. From the Data Model field drop-down list select an appropriate data model.
      
12. Click the save button. You created a collection data model that is designed to hold multiple records of the linked child element’s data model.