# Adding a message

Messages represent an abstract definition of the data being transmitted. A message consists of logical parts, each of which is associated with a definition within some type system. WSDL messages are top level objects that can be referenced by an operation's input, output and fault elements (within a port type).

You can create a message using the Outline view by right-clicking the Messages folder and clicking Add Message.

To create a new message for your input, output, or fault element, complete the following steps:

1. In the Design view, right-click your input, output, or fault element and click Set Message > New Message.
2. Type the name of the message in the General pane of the Properties view. This name should be a unique amongst all messages defined within the enclosing WSDL document.
3. The new message will appear in the Design view within the port type.

Note: Messages are referenced within a port type (specifically by an operation's input, output and fault objects). The input, output and fault objects within a binding do not reference messages. Hence you cannot create a new message by right clicking on a input, output, or fault within a binding (these are also known as binding input, binding output and binding faults).

Tip: You can also create a new message for your input, output, or fault element using the Outline view. Under the Port Types folder, right-click your element and click Set Message > Add Message. Your message will appear in the Outline view under the Messages folder.

## Reusing a message

To reuse a message for your input, output, or fault element, complete the following steps:

1. In the Design view, right-click your input, output, or fault element and click Set Message > Existing Message.
2. In the Name field, type a search string to filter the list or leave the field blank to view all
3. You can change the scope of the list by selecting one of the following options:
   - Workspace: lists the messages available in your workspace.
   - Enclosing Project: lists the messages available in the project that contains your file.
   - Current Resource: lists the messages available in your current file.
   - Working Sets: lists the messages available in a specified set of files. To specify a working set, click Choose. You can select files from an existing working set or create a new working set. Once you have selected the files, click OK.
4. The existing messages will be listed. Select one and click OK.

## Importing a message

If you want to import an existing message for your input, output, or fault element, follow these steps:

1. In the Design view, right-click your input, output, or fault element and click Set Message > Existing Message.
2. In the Name field, type a search string to filter the list or leave the field blank to view all.
3. You can import a message by selecting one of the following options:
   - Workspace: lists the messages available in your workspace.
   - Enclosing Project: lists the messages available in the project that contains your file.
   - Working Sets: lists the messages available in a specified set of files. To specify a working set, click Choose. You can select files from an existing working set or create a new working set. Once you have selected the files, click OK.
4. The messages will be listed. Select one and click OK.

You can now add parts to your message. Parts are a flexible mechanism for describing the logical abstract content of a message. For more information, see Adding a part to a message.
Related concepts
Editing WSDL files with the WSDL Editor
Related tasks
Creating a new WSDL file
Editing WSDL files