---
title: "Actions in Test Modeller Explained"
slug: "actions-in-test-modeller-explained"
description: "Actions in Test Modeller Explained"
tags: ["Building Models", "Get Started", "Test Modeller"]
updated: 2024-09-27T14:45:22Z
published: 2024-09-27T14:45:22Z
canonical: "knowledge.curiositysoftware.ie/actions-in-test-modeller-explained"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.curiositysoftware.ie/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Actions in Test Modeller Explained

[Embedded content](https://www.youtube.com/embed/_gJ4ZDchXeI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0)

There are eight basic actions that can be dragged and dropped to the canvas using the mouse: ![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1679065445389.png) Circular actions represent an "Event", or something that happens rather than being performed. Rounded blocks represent an activity, or something that is done by a user or the system itself. The diamond Condition is used to create alternative paths through the flow.

The eight actions function as follow:

1. **Start:**A Start event is a trigger that occurs at the start of a process.
2. **End:**The End event is the event that terminates the process.
3. **Waypoint:**A waypoint is used between a Start and End point in a path, and enables test automation to be overlaid at that point in the model.
4. **Task:**A Task is an activity performed either by a user, or internally by the system.
5. **Subprocess:**Subprocesses are used to quickly embed and re-use models within a master model.
6. **Condition:** A Condition marks a fork in the paths through a systems logic, for example a decision or a point where data can be entered.
7. **Pool:**Pools and lanes are used to visually divide a logical model. They do not affect the logic specified by other Actions.
8. **Note:**Notes are used to add comments to a model. They do not affect the logic specified by other Actions.

---

## Editing Actions on the Canvas

Certain actions dragged to the canvas can be renamed, defined, or resized. All actions can be moved.

### **Quick Actions**

A toolbar of quick actions can be accessed by hovering over the block being edited:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1679065789678.png)

1. **Test Data** displays the test data sidebar for a given block.
2. **Test Automation** displays the test automation sidebar for a given block.
3. **Copy Block**is used to copy a block.
4. **Add Task** creates a Task block, connected by an edge to the block being edited.
5. **Add Condition** creates a Condition block, connected by an edge to the block being edited.
6. **Move Block** is used to move a block, by clicking and dragging the move block option.

### **Shortcuts**

On the right-hand side of the Quality Modeller canvas, there are a series of shortcuts:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1679065849738.png)

1. **Project Explorer**is where test automation functions and dynamic data jobs are housed.
2. **Test Data**displays the test data sidebar for a given block.
3. **Test Automation**displays the test automation sidebar for a given block.
4. **Block Properties**allows you to edit a block’s properties, see more below.

### **Block Properties**

In this menu, there are a number of properties that can be edited for a given block.

- **Summary:**The name given to the block.
- **Description:**The description given to the block.
- **Expected Result:**The expected result associated to the output of the block.
- **Requirement:**An associated requirement step that enables the creation of requirements and user stories.
- **Data Type:**This option allows blocks to be tagged with either a ‘Valid’ or ‘Invalid’ data type. This results in a red ‘Invalid Data’ tag on any test case that passes through the 'Invalid' data block.
- **Colour:**Opens the colour pallet.
- **Test Step Toggle:**For generating test cases and exporting them to external tools, if this is toggled on then the block will be considered a test step and vice versa.
- **Requirement Step Toggle:**For generating requirements and user stories and exporting them to external tools, if this is toggled on then the block will be considered a test step and vice versa.

### **Renaming Blocks**

To rename Start and End points, Waypoints, Pools and Lanes, double-click the relevant caption and type the new name. Alternatively, hover over a block and select the text option in the quick actions toolbar.

To define the logic denoted by a Condition, Task or Subprocess block, double-click the text in the block and type the new definition. Alternatively, hover over a block and select the text option in the quick actions toolbar.

### **Resizing Blocks**

To resize task blocks and lanes, click on the relevant block or lane, and then click and drag the light blue boxes to the required size.

### **Saving Models**

To save a model to a new or current version, click the "Save" option above the File tab of the Model editor:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1679065929116.png)

To save a new model, select the "Save As" option. The new model will appear in the Test Models Workspace, and can have further versions associated with it.

---

## **Using commands in the menu bar and keyboard shortcuts**

The Home tab of the menu also provides common actions for editing models.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1679065956725.png)

Standard Windows keyboard shortcuts can also be used, and Cut, Copy, Paste and Delete are also available by right-clicking on a block or set of blocks.

**Note:***As Quality Modeller is a browser-based application, keyboard shortcuts are always the Windows version, using Command instead of Control if on a Mac. For instance, even when using Quality Modeller on Mac, "Redo" is always performed by Command + Y, and not Command + Y, and not Command + Shift + Z.*

Individual blocks, sections of a model, and subprocesses can be deleted, copied, and pasted. To select multiple blocks, hold shift and click the relevant blocks. Alternatively, click the canvas and drag the mouse to select a relevant section of the model.

## Related

- [Quality Modeller 101](/test-modeller-101.md)
- [Quality Modeller](/get-started-with-test-modeller.md)
- [Building Models in Quality Modeller](/building-models-in-test-modeller.md)
- [The Model Editor User Interface Explained](/the-model-editor-user-interface-explained.md)
- [Model Types and Versions Explained](/model-types-and-versions-explained.md)
