--- title: "Text Annotation and Association Objects" slug: "text-annotation-and-association-elements" updated: 2025-12-08T13:05:04Z published: 2025-12-08T13:05:04Z canonical: "docs.processmaker.com/text-annotation-and-association-elements" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.processmaker.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Text Annotation and Association Objects ## Add a Text Annotation to the Process Model A Text Annotation object is human-readable text in a Process model that provides description about the Process. Text Annotation objects perform no functional role in Process Requests or workflow routing, but are used for visual representation only. **Permissions** - Processes: Edit Processes - Processes: View Processes See the [Process](/v1/docs/permission-descriptions-for-users-and-groups#processes) permissions or ask your Administrator for assistance. Your user account or group membership must have the following permissions to configure a Text Annotation or Association object in the Process model unless your user account has the **Make this user a Super Admin** setting selected: Processes: Edit Processes Processes: View Processes See the [Process](/v1/docs/permission-descriptions-for-users-and-groups#processes) permissions or ask your Administrator for assistance. Add a Text Annotation object from one of the following locations in Process Modeler: - **Object Panel:** Located to the left of the Process Modeler, the Object Panel contains various process modeling objects. - **Object Bar:** Located at the bottom of the Process Modeler, the Object Bar contains [pinned](/v1/docs/process-modeler#pin-and-unpin-objects) Process modeling objects for quick access. Add from the Object panelAdd from the Object bar Follow these steps to add a Text Annotation object from the Object panel to the Process model: 1. Ensure that the Object panel is visible. If not, click the **Add** icon ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/0de73807-e5b3-4507-abaf-339d2507d53d.png) from the Object bar at the bottom. 2. Click the **Text Annotation** object ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/2ba2c401-9347-43ef-8c8c-8d100989e88a.png) from the Object panel to select it. 3. Click the location in the Process model to place this object. If your process has a Pool object, the object cannot be placed outside of the Pool. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/905baffe-2e7d-44e4-ae2f-080a7c3670fc.png) Follow these steps to add a Text Annotation from the Object bar to the Process model: 1. Ensure that the Text Annotation object ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/f9da7b71-0541-4e16-aa40-4b0463c4428d.png) is pinned to the Object bar. If not, [see instructions to pin it](/v1/docs/process-modeler#pin-and-unpin-objects). 2. In the Object bar at the bottom center, click the object's icon. 3. Click the location in the Process model to place this object. If your process has a Pool object, the object cannot be placed outside of the Pool. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/905baffe-2e7d-44e4-ae2f-080a7c3670fc.png) **Adjust location and appearance** - [Move a Process Model Object.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#move-process-model-objects) - [Connect Two Process Model Objects with a Sequence Flow Element.](/v1/docs/sequence-flow-element#connect-two-process-model-objects-with-a-sequence-flow-element) - [Customize the Appearance of a Process Model Object.](/v1/docs/customize-the-appearance-of-a-process-model-object) - [Copy Process Model Objects into the Clipboard.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#copy-process-model-objects-into-the-clipboard) - [Clone Process Model Objects Without the Clipboard.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#clone-process-model-objects) - [Delete Process Model Objects.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#delete-process-model-objects) --- ## Text Annotation Object Settings The Text Annotation object has the following panels that contain settings: - [**Configuration**](/v1/docs/text-annotation-and-association-elements#configuration-panel-settings) panel - [**Documentation**](/v1/docs/text-annotation-and-association-elements#documentation-panel-settings) panel - [**Advanced**](/v1/docs/text-annotation-and-association-elements#advanced-panel-settings) panel --- ### Configuration Panel Settings #### Edit the Annotation Description Process Modeler automatically assigns a default value to a new Text Annotation object. However, change the annotation description to provide context to your Process model. Follow these steps to edit the annotation description for a Text Annotation object: 1. Select the Text Annotation object from the Process model in which to edit its name. 2. Ensure that the **Configuration** panel displays. If not, [show it](/v1/docs/show-configuration-settings-for-a-process-model-object). The **Text to Show** setting displays. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/6b66e51b-b225-4e9f-8bb9-8b7335237eda.png) 3. In the **Text to Show** setting, edit the selected Text Annotation object's text to display in the Process model and then press **Enter**. --- ### Documentation Panel Settings Describe the object's purpose and how it functions in the Process. This description does not affect Requests for the Process, but may be useful for Process model maintenance such as how the object is configured. Edit information by using the What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) rich text editor. A Process's entered documentation displays by selecting the [**View Documentation** icon for that Process](/v1/docs/view-documentation-for-a-process). #### Edit the Object's Description Displayed in Process Documentation Follow these steps to edit the description for an object: 1. Select the object from the Process model in which to edit its description. 2. Panels to configure this elemeEnsure that the **Configuration** panel displays. If not, [show it](/v1/docs/show-configuration-settings-for-a-process-model-object). 3. Expand the **Documentation** panel if it is not presently expanded. The **Description** setting displays. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/173375ab-1d1a-48dc-90a3-1e7e03dcfb0e.png) 4. In the **Description** setting, edit the information to display when viewing documentation for this object and then press **Enter**. Alternatively, use the What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) rich text editor to stylize your text by clicking the **More** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/7dd7b073-c044-4a16-b2ed-3ea9de90a43d.png). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/ca921b78-4a1e-441b-a81e-d789a1c58fc5.png) Follow these guidelines to use the WYSIWYG rich text editor to stylize your text: - **Undo changes:** Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/38d480ac-969e-431a-9240-1a7a49c36e2d.png)icon to undo the last action. - **Redo changes:** Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/8fab0cc5-1341-4798-bb79-0771f7cdf22b.png)icon to redo the last undone action. - **Insert/Edit Link**: Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/3667b3c4-f885-4bf3-b20b-0aba94423d1e.png)icon to convert the selected text into a hyperlink. Follow these steps to create a hyperlink: 1. Select the required text from the Rich Text control. 2. Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/3667b3c4-f885-4bf3-b20b-0aba94423d1e.png)icon. The **Insert/Edit Link** screen displays. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/6ffc01de-9e33-412b-8cfd-fc01eb8c8e6f.png) 3. In the **URL** setting, enter the destination URL. 4. In the **Text to display** setting, edit or enter the text displayed in the Rich Text control. 5. In the **Title** setting, enter the text to display when a user hovers over the displayed text. 6. From **Open link in…** drop-down menu, select one of these options: - **New window**: Select this option to open the destination page in a new browser window. - **Current window**: Select this option to open the destination page in the current browser window. - **Insert/Edit Image:** Click on the **Insert/Edit Image** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/ce4addeb-bcfb-4b88-a765-ead3c9b0c65f.png)to insert an image. Follow these guidelines: 1. Click on the **Insert/Edit Image** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/ce4addeb-bcfb-4b88-a765-ead3c9b0c65f.png). 2. The **Insert/Edit Image** screen displays:![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/f030638c-df96-483b-8b17-87975d5c4984.png) 3. In the **Source** setting, enter a URL for the image. 4. In the **Alternative Description** setting, enter the text to display if the source URL of the image is not accessible. 5. In the **Width** setting, enter the maximum width for the image. 6. In the **Height** setting, enter the maximum height for the image. 7. Toggle the **Constrain Proportions** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/763121e5-5a8a-43cd-805d-edda76c0964d.png)to maintain the width-height ratio of the image to its original proportion. 8. Click **Save**. - **Insert Page Break for PDF:** Click on the **Insert Page Break for PDF** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/cee1a57b-cb52-4d84-ae34-4e0dddcd1118.png)to insert a page break when a PDF document is created for this documentation if your browser supports this feature. - **Format text**: Follow these guidelines to format text: - **Headings**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Headings** and then select a heading size. - **Bold:** Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, select the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/c560601d-671f-45de-a26a-1387acbbda59.png)icon. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Bold**. - **Italics:** Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, select the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/32834e1f-4ab3-4034-914b-a8586ef91582.png)icon. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Italic**. - **Underline**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Underline**. - **Strikethrough**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Strikethrough**. - **Superscript**: From the **Paragraph/** **Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Superscript**. - **Subscript**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Inline** and then **Subscript**. - **Code**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select Inline and then **Code**. - **Paragraph**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Blocks** and then **Paragraph**. - **Blockquote**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Blocks** and then **Blockquote**. - **Division**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Blocks** and then **Div**. - **Preformatted**: From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Blocks** and then **Pre**. - **Change text color**: Use the **Text Color** drop-down to change text color. Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/8ffbd004-7131-46f8-9776-ae8aeb327954.png)icon. The color palette displays. Do one of the following: - Select one of the color swatches from the color palette. The selected text changes to that color. - Click the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/97023812-0ff6-4e18-8b38-b8f433230c83.png)icon to select a custom color from the **Color Picker**. - Click the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/44100881-f3a7-4266-a27e-8260cd174ded.png)icon to reset the text to its default color. - **Align text**: Follow these guidelines to align text: - **Left align:** Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/2116afcf-799e-4fb0-b7f5-36c62649e576.png)icon to left-align text. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Align** and then **Left**. - **Center align:** Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/7ca40c56-bbd6-4d3e-86ce-bd3554742665.png)icon to center-align text. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Align** and then **Center**. - **Right align**: Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/406f3a8a-4cd2-479d-a807-e06356cd02f8.png)icon to right-align text. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Align** and then **Right**. - **Justify**: Do one of the following: - From the editor toolbar, use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/4aede080-3094-4a80-9528-0fe668c0cf55.png)icon to justify text. - From the **Paragraph/Formats** menu, select **Align** and then **Justify**. - **Insert a bullet list**: Use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/a4fd21c0-7ea0-4e70-89c1-250d06d62b19.png)icon to format text as a bulleted list. - **Insert a numbered list:** Use the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/7c536b57-39cf-4c02-b40d-9f2c7d2e3156.png)icon to format text as a numbered list. - **Indent text**: Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/42337845-af72-4945-9372-94ca8009313c.png)icon to increase text indenting. - **Outdent text:** Click on the![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/30628ae4-6804-4632-a75b-dc655d776848.png)icon to decrease text indenting. --- ### Advanced Panel Settings #### Edit the Node's Identifier Value Process Modeler automatically assigns a unique value to each Process node added to a Process model. However, a node's identifier value can be changed if it is unique to all other nodes in the Process model, including the Process model's identifier value. All identifier values for all nodes in the Process model must be unique. Follow these steps to edit the identifier value for a Text Annotation object: 1. Select the Text Annotation object from the Process model in which to edit its identifier value. 2. Ensure that the **Configuration** panel displays. If not, [show it](/v1/docs/show-configuration-settings-for-a-process-model-object). Panels to configure this object display. 3. Expand the **Advanced** panel if it is not presently expanded. The **Node Identifier** setting displays. This is a required setting. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/1549bc6b-fb1a-40f9-95d1-1ccfceeb933a.png) 4. In the **Node Identifier** setting, edit the Text Annotation object's identifier to a unique value from all nodes in the Process model and then press **Enter**. --- ## Add an Association to the Process Model An Association object is part of a Text Annotation object that graphically references the Process model object that the Text Annotation object describes. Multiple Association objects can be used from one Text Annotation object. However, a Text Annotation object must be placed into the Process model before an Association object can be used. Each Annotation object can display a directional arrow to and/or from the Text Annotation object. **Permissions** - Processes: Edit Processes - Processes: View Processes See the [Process](/v1/docs/permission-descriptions-for-users-and-groups#processes) permissions or ask your Administrator for assistance. Your user account or group membership must have the following permissions to configure a Text Annotation or Association object in the Process model unless your user account has the **Make this user a Super Admin** setting selected: Processes: Edit Processes Processes: View Processes See the [Process](/v1/docs/permission-descriptions-for-users-and-groups#processes) permissions or ask your Administrator for assistance. Follow these steps to add an Association object to the Process model: 1. [Add a Text Annotation object to the Process model](/v1/docs/text-annotation-and-association-elements#add-a-text-annotation-element). 2. Select the Text Annotation object from which you want to add an Association object. Available options display to the right of the selected object. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/9cbd2536-5e36-4f07-b6a5-b30e54c162e3.png) 3. Click the **Association Flow** icon![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/bf3ad574-1c67-4fa7-853e-63524b918ced.png). 4. Click the Process model object to which the Text Annotation object describes. The Annotation object is placed. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/a5b0ff31-9484-4f9d-b150-0eed6ea0b98d.png) 5. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to reference another Process model object that the Text Annotation object describes as necessary. **Adjust location and appearance** - [Move a Process Model Object.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#move-process-model-objects) - [Connect Two Process Model Objects with a Sequence Flow Element.](/v1/docs/sequence-flow-element#connect-two-process-model-objects-with-a-sequence-flow-element) - [Customize the Appearance of a Process Model Object.](/v1/docs/customize-the-appearance-of-a-process-model-object) - [Copy Process Model Objects into the Clipboard.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#copy-process-model-objects-into-the-clipboard) - [Clone Process Model Objects Without the Clipboard.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#clone-process-model-objects) - [Delete Process Model Objects.](/v1/docs/process-modeler#delete-process-model-objects) --- ## Association Object Settings The Association object has the **Properties** panel that contain settings: #### Edit the Object's Identifier Value Process Modeler automatically assigns a unique value to each Process object added to a Process model. However, an object's identifier value can be changed if it is unique to all other objects in the Process model, including the Process model's identifier value. All identifier values for all objects in the Process model must be unique. Follow these steps to edit the identifier value for an Association object: 1. Select the Association object from the Text Annotation object in which to edit its identifier value. 2. Ensure that the **Configuration** panel displays. If not, [show it](/v1/docs/show-configuration-settings-for-a-process-model-object). The **Node Identifier** setting displays. This is a required setting. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/620c3b25-01b0-40b7-b09c-75c157c06929.png) 3. In the **Node Identifier** setting, edit the Text Annotation object's identifier to a unique value from all objects in the Process model and then press **Enter**. #### Edit the Direction of the Text Annotation Object's Reference Use the Annotation object to place a directional arrow that points between the Text Annotation object and the object it describes. Follow these steps to edit the directional arrow that points between the Text Annotation object and the object it describes: 1. Select the Association object from the Text Annotation object in which to edit its annotation description. 2. Ensure that the **Configuration** panel displays. If not, [show it](/v1/docs/show-configuration-settings-for-a-process-model-object). Panels to configure this object display. 3. Expand the **Configuration** panel if it is not presently expanded, and then locate the **Direction** setting. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/4c0db011-671d-407e-af50-b79fbde4c492.png) 4. From the **Direction** drop-down menu, select the direction in which the arrow points between the Text Annotation object and the object it describes. Select one of the following options: - **None:** Select the **None** option to not display an arrow that indicates the reference between the Text Annotation object and the object it describes. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/a5b0ff31-9484-4f9d-b150-0eed6ea0b98d.png) - **One:** Select the **One** option to display an arrow that points from the Text Annotation object to the object it describes. This is the default option. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/27756ad9-81ba-4e53-bbbc-e0a160120bb6.png) - **Both:** Select the **Both** option to display arrows to and from the Text Annotation object's referencing object. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/2d311614-fcb7-4424-8b4c-d4d3091eebeb/Images/Documentation/b1b6254e-7b40-48e7-9ffd-c51218901c68.png)