Using existing custom entity and link types

You can use custom types that have been saved in other charts and import specifications.

About this task

You are investigating organised dogfighting for example, and want to create a new import specification. Some of the data in the import is not represented in your schema, however you recently created some custom entity and link types for a dog theft case that might be useful in your import design. Types from your Custom palette are available to select, and you can search through saved specifications and select from any of the custom types they contain. You can choose to use existing custom types as they are, or as the basis for new types. This can save you the time and effort of creating new types and properties, where existing types already contain the same or similar properties.
Note:
Records of custom types cannot be uploaded to the Information Store or used as seeds for External Searches in i2 Connect.

Procedure

  1. In the import design, click Add New Entity, or Add New Link.
  2. Choose a custom type from the list of item types. The custom type and its properties appear on the import design.
  3. To search import specifications, click Existing Custom Type..., below the list of available item types.
    A window opens showing any saved specifications that contain custom types, and details about them such as author and date of last modification.
  4. Click a specification to see the custom types and properties that are present in that specification. You can resize the columns if required.
  5. Click to highlight the name of the custom type you want to use.
  6. Click OK.
    The custom type and its properties appear on the import design.