OtfPropertiesWindow

The Properties window (or Property Grid) help users view and modify the properties of activities at design-time. Depending on the types of properties, the different types of edit boxes are displayed, for example, drop-down lists, or button with links to specific editors for lists, etc. The read-only properties will be displayed in gray color. All entries are validated, see the design-time validation.

There are 3 different kinds of properties window:

Property Grid in the dialog box:

The property grid will be opened by double clicking on an activity in the designer. The dialog box is shown in the image above on the left side. It contains all the properties necessary for the setting information. Dependending on the particular type of the properties are set on a drop-down list or a special editor:

Drop-down List

In the drop-down list, all of the visible variables in the context with the corresponding types are displayed to select. Through the <Expression...> menu, the expression editor can be invoked to create a complex expression. Through the <Create New Variable...> menu, a new local variable of the corresponding type is created.

Editor

If an extra editor is available, there will be the "..." button on the right of the property. Click on the button and the editor will be open as a new dialog box. This editor usually has a list of items which can be edited by adding, modifying and removing items.

Property Grid in the dockable tool window

The property grid is essentially the same as the properties dialog box described above, except that this property grid is tool window (ussually at the bottom right of the OTF). When you select an activity in the designer, all the properties of the activity is listed in the properties tool window. Whether you like to edit the properties with this tool window or with the dialog box as previously described is the matter of taste. You can select the respective option via the button "Properties in the tool window" in the menu bar, see the image below.