Tables doesn't show when re-adding them to entity-model (edmx)

Question

Hi,

I have a db with 5 tables. at the beginning, i've added those tables in, but then decided to remove some due to some relationship compile error.

Now, when i want to add them back, i'm opening the edmx file -> update model from database.. -i don't see those tables under add tab, but only under the "refresh" tab.

how can i add them back?

Thanks.

Answer 1

In order to re-add a table to your model you will first need to delete the table from your model. (a list of tables is visible in the [model.Store] tree (see 'Model Browser' pane)). When you run 'Update model from database...' the table will appear in the 'Add' tab in the first step of the 'Update Wizard'.

Steps to complete:

1. Close your model in Visual Studio.
2. Open your .edmx file in a text editor.
3. Search and delete the xml entity elements (see notes below).
4. Open your model in Visual Studio.
5. Click Update Model from Database.

To delete all references to a table in your Model:

• In the 'EntityContainer' element, delete all 'EntitySet' child elements that have the 'Name' attribute set to the value [TableNameToReAdd].
• In the 'EntityContainer' element, delete all 'AssociationSet' child elements where an 'End' element exists that have their 'EntitySet' attribute set to the value [TableNameToReAdd].
• In the 'EntityContainer' element, delete all 'EntityType' child elements where that have the 'Name' attribute set to the value [TableNameToReAdd].
• In the 'EntityContainer' element, delete all 'Association' child elements where an 'End' element exists that have their 'Role' attribute set to the value [TableNameToReAdd].

Answer 2

Thx a lot mathijsuitmegen, had same problem...

Is that a bug ??

Answer 3

You want to re-add an entity after it is deleted in the model.
Besides editing the edmx file there's another way to do this.
You will have to temporary delete the table from the database.

note: I would only to this if the database is not in production yet!

So in SQL Server Management Studio first create a script:
right click on the table(s) that correspond with the missing entity in your model. Select 'Script Table as', 'CREATE To', 'New Query Editor Window'.

The Second step is to delete the table. Right click again and select 'Delete'. Confirm the delete.

Back in Visual Studio do an update of the model.

Go back to SQL Server Management Studio and run the 'create' script you have just created.
The table will be added to your database again.

In Visual Studio you can now do an update again, your table will show up under the 'add ' tab!!!