If you want to modify an object stored in a shared object repository, you can modify it using the Object Repository Manager, or you can modify it locally using the Object Repository window.

If you modify it using the Object Repository Manager, the changes you make will be reflected in all components that use the shared object repository. If you make a local copy of the object and modify it in the Object Repository window, the changes you make will affect only the component in which you make the change. If you later modify the same object in the shared object repository, your changes will not affect the local copy of the object in your component.

In addition, during a run session, QuickTest will use the object in the local object repository because when an component uses an object contained in both local and shared repositories, QuickTest always searches for and uses objects in the local object repository before using objects in a shared object repository.

When copying an object to the local object repository, consider the following:

• When you copy an object to the local object repository, its parent objects are also copied to the local object repository.
• If an object or its parent objects use unmapped repository parameters, you cannot copy the object to the local object repository. You must make sure that all repository parameters are mapped before copying an object to the local object repository.
• If an object or its parent objects are parameterized using one or more repository parameters, the repository parameter values are converted when you copy the object to the local object repository. For example, if the repository parameter is mapped to a local parameter, the property is parameterized using a local parameter. If the value is a constant value, the property receives the same constant value.
• If you are copying multiple objects to the local object repository, during the copy process you can choose to skip a specific object if it has unmapped repository parameters, or if it has mapped repository parameters whose values you do not want to convert. You can then continue copying the next object from your original selection.

To copy an object to the local object repository:

1. In the Object Repository window, select an object from a shared object repository that you want to copy to the local object repository. Objects in a shared object repository are colored gray. You can select more than one object to copy, as long as the selected objects have the same parent objects.
2. Choose Object > Copy to Local or right-click the object(s) and choose Copy to Local. The object(s) (and parent objects) are copied to the local object repository and are made editable.