How to Embed Command Tables in a View File

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Article Goal

This article explains how to embed Command Tables directly into a View file in VDM.

📘 If you want views to embed Command Tables by default, check out:
How to Enable Embed Command Tables by Default in VDM

Why Embed Command Tables?

Embedding Command Tables allows you to share views without needing to separately share the Command Table file. It ensures:

• Simpler collaboration and distribution.

• Self-contained views that run independently on another user’s system.

• Fewer setup steps for users importing your views.

⚠️ Without embedding, the receiving user must also receive and import the .vdmct file for the view to function properly.

How to View Embedded Command Tables from Others

If someone sends you a view with an embedded Command Table, you can:

• Open the view in a Text Editor (e.g., Notepad++) and search for !!StartCommandTable!!

• The embedded Command Table content is between !!StartCommandTable!! and !!EndCommandTable!!

• Use that content to manually create a .vdmct file if needed

• Alternatively, click Show SQL Query in VDM to preview the embedded syntax

📁 Command Tables are typically stored in your Profiles directory, which is defined in the Settings tab in VDM.

📥 You can also request the .vdmct file directly from the sender if needed.

Steps To Embed Command Tables

1: Open a View: Start by opening / creating the view in which you'd like to embed the Command Table.

💡 You can either create a new view or edit an existing one.

2: Open the View Options Ribbon Bar: Click on the View Options tab or ribbon bar at the top of the screen.

💡 This is where per-view settings are controlled, including query behavior and display options.

3: Enable the “Embed Command Table” Option: In the ribbon bar, locate the Embed section. Check the box or toggle the setting labeled "Command Tables"

🔐 This embeds the current Command Table into the view file, eliminating the need to share it separately.

4: Save the View: Click Save to apply and preserve the embedding configuration.

✅ The Command Table is now part of the view file. You can distribute it without additional files.

Article Summary

This article details how to embed a Command Table into a VDM view file. Embedding allows users to distribute views without needing to manually include or import external Command Table files. It includes how to activate the embed option, how recipients can view the embedded syntax, and why this method is preferred for easier sharing and independence from local configuration.

What’s Next?

After embedding:

• You can safely share the view / .vdm file with others.

• The embedded Command Table will travel with the view, simplifying collaboration.

• If needed, users can extract and recreate the Command Table using the syntax from the view file.

 Related Articles:

• How to Import a Command Table

• How to Find Stored Command Tables

• How to Enable Embed Command Tables by Default in VDM