There are two ways to unmerge records: a linear unmerge and a tree unmerge.
Unmerge Record
Click this button to linearly unmerge a
cross-reference
from the selected base object. When a linear unmerge occurs, only the unmerged record is removed from the unmerge tree. The selected row in the cross-reference table is reinstated as its own base object row and the influence of that row on the current base object is removed.
Tree Unmerge
Click this button to perform a tree unmerge on a cross reference from the selected base object. During a tree unmerge, an entire set of merged base object records become unmerged from the original structure into an intact substructure.
The following figure demonstrates the difference between a linear and a tree unmerge.
In a group of seven records, a linear unmerge for record 5 causes that record to separate from the rest of the merged records, and the records that were merged to it (in this case, records 6 and 7) become merged with record 1, the base object.
In the same group of seven records, a tree unmerge for record 5 causes that record and all of its merged records to separate from the base object and the other merged records as a unit.