The Direct Editor provides the ability to edit virtually all MSI tables. Changes made in the Direct Editor are reflected in the corresponding InstallShield views. The Direct Editor can run in two different modes, one allowing you to edit tables in the project file (project edit mode), and the other allowing you to edit tables in a compiled MSI file (MSI-only mode). Project edit mode is accessible when working on an InstallShield project (.ism) file. MSI-only mode is accessible when you open an MSI file either directly or using the Open MSI/MSM wizard.

Read the InstallShield Help to learn more about working in the Direct Editor.

| Although InstallScript setups and objects are not Windows Installer-based, InstallScript project files use the Windows Installer table format. The Direct Editor is for advanced InstallScript users who are familiar with the Windows Installer table format; Macrovision recommends that you modify your InstallScript project by using the other views of the IDE.

| Although InstallScript setups and objects are not Windows Installer-based, InstallScript project files use the Windows Installer table format. The Direct Editor is for advanced InstallScript users who are familiar with the Windows Installer table format; Macrovision recommends that you modify your InstallScript project by using the other views of the IDE.

If you press F1 while a standard MSI table is selected, the MSI Help opens to provide you information about that specific table. Custom tables open to the MSI help main page. If the root Tables node is selected, InstallShield displays general Direct Editor help.