How to: Validate an Entity Data Model
The ADO.NET Entity Data Model Designer (Entity Designer) enables you to validate your Entity Data Model (EDM). When you validate a model with the Entity Designer, any validation errors that occur will be shown in the Error List. Note that validation errors are not fatal errors; a project will build successfully even when a model has validation errors.
Note
You can also validate an EDM from the command line by using the EdmGen.exe tool. For more information, see EDM Generator (EdmGen.exe).
To validate an EDM
Open the .edmx file in Visual Studio.
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Save the .edmx file with it open in Visual Studio.
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Build the project that includes the .edmx file.
Note
The Validate on Build property of the .edmx file must be set to true for the project to be validated upon building the project.
To validate all EDMs that are open in Visual Studio
Right-click the .edmx file in the Model Browser window and select Validate.
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With the .edmx file open in the Entity Designer, right-click the design surface and select Validate.