Perform operations from the trace link matrix

You can perform several operations from the trace link matrix.

Create a trace link

You can create a trace link directly in the matrix.

Procedure

1. Do one of the following:

   • Select a cell in the matrix and click Create Trace Link in the toolbar, or use the keyboard shortcut Alt+L. (The Create Trace Link button becomes visible in the toolbar when a cell is selected.)
   • Double-click a cell in the matrix.

   The Create Trace Link panel appears with the matrix cell row as the Start and the cell column as the End targets.

2. (Optional) Click Swap to switch the start and end objects for the trace link.

3. (Optional) Select a trace link Type from the dropdown list.

4. Click Create.

The matrix is updated to include the new trace link in the cell count.

Note: The Create Trace Link panel remains open and retains the last used trace link type and occurrence setting. You can create additional trace links by changing the Start or End objects, the trace link type, or the occurrence setting.

The trace link matrix is a static snapshot of the available trace links between the row and column objects. Once it is generated, you can navigate to another link in the matrix, and then click the back button to return to the matrix page. In this case, however, any trace links created by you or a different user after the matrix is generated do not appear when you click the back button.

Create a one-to-many trace link

You can create trace links quickly between requirements, parameters, and other workspace objects, including adding one-to-many trace links. You can select multiple cells in a row or column, and then choose to create a one-to-many or many-to-one trace link.

Procedure

1. Hold Ctrl and select several cells in a row or column. You must select cells in the same row or column (you cannot select cells in a different row or column).

2. Click Create Trace Link.

   The Create Trace Link panel appears, showing the starting and ending objects.

3. Click Create.

The matrix is updated to show the new trace links in the selected cells.

Note: The Create Trace Link panel remains open and retains the last used trace link type and occurrence setting.

View trace link details and delete trace links

You can view information about the trace links and delete one or more trace links directly from the matrix.

Procedure

1. Click a cell with a trace numerical value.

   A table appears at the bottom of the screen showing the trace links that are associated with the selected cell. The table provides information about each trace link, such as type, direction, and the defining or complying (start and end) object names.

2. Select one or more trace links, and then click Delete.

The matrix is updated with the new trace link values.

View trace link density with the heatmap

A heatmap shows the number of trace links through a color indicator. The darker the color, the higher the number of trace links.

To activate this functionality, click View > Heatmap.

Update the trace link matrix settings

You can update the settings for trace link matrix viewing by using the Matrix Settings panel.

Procedure

1. Click Settings.

   The Matrix Settings panel appears.

2. For row and column heading display names, do one of the following:

   • Select the Name check box to display the object name.
   • Select the ID check box to display the ID number.
   • Select the Owner check box to display the object owner's name.
   • Select all check boxes to display all the information.

3. Select the Show Parameters check box to hide parameters in the matrix.

4. Select Count or Heatmap in the Grid View field.

5. Select Show arrows to display the trace link direction arrows.

6. Click Apply.

Hide or unhide parameters by row or column

Click the icon to the left of a row or at the top of a column to hide or unhide any parameters in that area.

Hide or unhide rows or columns

Note: This feature is available in the list view only.

Procedure

1. Select one or more rows or columns.

2. Click Hide/Unhide to hide your selected rows or columns.

   The selected rows or columns are hidden and are indicated by double lines.

3. (Optional) To unhide rows or columns, select a double line, and then select Hide/Unhide > Unhide. You can also select Unhide All to unhide all hidden rows and columns at once.