Using Vision to Create E/R Diagrams

1. Start Visio – Start > Programs > Microsoft Office > Microsoft Office Visio 2003
2. Choose Database category (on left)
1. Choose Database Model Diagram
3.  Choose Conventions/ Notation to use – Database > Options > Document
1. On the General tab, make sure “Relational” chosen
2. On the Relationship tab, make sure “Relationships”, “Cardinality”, “Show Verb Phrase”, and “Forward Text” are selected
4. Adding entities – click on entity icon in left panel and drag to desired location, then update properties:
1. Under definition, type Conceptual Name in
2. Under Columns, type info for each attribute – Physical Name, choose data type, check if Required and/or PK
5.  Adding Relationships – click on relationship icon in left panel, drag to the entity that is referenced (border will turn red), then drag other end to the referencing entity (entity with the foreign key (FK)). Then update properties:
1. Under Name, type Verb Phrase
2. Under Miscellaneous, select most appropriate cardinality (for the direction of the reference)
3. Under Referential Action, select the most appropriate handling
6. Save – File > Save> specify filename