The Dictionary rule links starting ports with specified names to ending ports with the same names. The Dictionary rule looks for the list of port names in a text file. When you create a Dictionary rule, provide the name of the text file. Use the Dictionary rule when you want to use the Named Port rule for a large number of ports.

Unlike the Named Port rule, you cannot use parameters or a combination of parameter and character strings to specify the name of a port in the text file for the Dictionary rule.

Use the following syntax to specify the starting ports and ending ports in the text file for the Dictionary rule:

For example, the following list is valid content for a Dictionary rule text file:

The following list is invalid:

The name of the text file can be any valid Windows file name. Mapping Architect for Visio does not validate the text file. Verify that the dictionary text file contains rules with valid syntax.

Use the following syntax when you include this rule in a Parameter rule: