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Add and edit keys and indexes using the **Keys** pad found in the **Quick View** panel.

Keys are automatically updated whenever records are added, changed, or deleted. Index files do not update automatically. A [[build  build keys and indexes .htm|BUILD]] statement is required to update an index.

1.Select a table from the DCT Explorer list on the **Tables** side of the **Dictionary **dialog and press the **Add **button found on the Keys pad.

The [[softvelocity datadictionary editor keyeditor.htm|Key Properties]] dialog appears.

2.Type a valid Clarion label in the **Label **field.

3.Optionally type a **Description**. This displays in various dialog boxes, including the **File Definition **dialog.

4.In the **Attributes** and **Type** group boxes select a key type and check all** **boxes that are appropriate for the key.

A //runtime index// allows you to declare an index without specifying the key component fields in the Data Dictionary. The application must define the key component fields at runtime, as the second parameter of the BUILD statement. The application may rebuild the same index file at a later time, specifying different key component columns for the index.

5.Optionally type a valid DOS file name in the **External Name **field, if the file system needs one.

Clarion automatically adds the proper file extension.

6.Select the **Columns **tab, then press the **Add **button.

The **Select a Field** list appears.

7.DOUBLE-CLICK a field in the list;

This transfers its name to the **Columns **tab, which indicates the field will be part of the new key. Repeat steps 8 and 9 to add more fields to the key.

8.Press **OK **to close the **Key Properties **dialog.

The **Key Properties **dialog appears again, ready to accept additional keys.

9.Repeat steps 4 through 10 to create additional keys for this file.

10.When you are finished adding keys, press **Cancel **to close the **Key Properties **dialog and return to the **Quick View** panel.

At the end of the process, your keys appear in the **Keys **pad, with their field components arranged in order, one above the other in a tree diagram.

To modify a key, select the key and press the **Change **button in the **Keys p**ad. The **Entity Browser **for that key's table appears, and the **Key Properties **dialog appears just to the right of the **Entity Browser**. If you selected a key component, the **Columns** tab is on top. If you selected the key, the **General** tab is on top.

**Next:** [[how to define file relationships and referential integrity.htm|How to Define Table Relationships and Referential Integrity]]