**Source URL:** https://general.veevavault.dev/vault-toolbox/browser-extension/guides/component-editor.md

# Using the Component Editor

Vault Toolbox includes a Component Editor that allows you to view the Metadata Definition Language (MDL) of components in your Vault. In sandbox Vaults, you can also execute MDL commands directly from the Component Editor to Vault, allowing you to quickly test configuration changes. See the [MDL Overview](/mdl/documentation/overview) to learn more about MDL commands.

This guide explains how to use the Component Editor to search, browse, and modify components.

<ThemeImage srcLight="/images/toolbox/browser-extension/vault_toolbox_component_editor_light.png" srcDark="/images/toolbox/browser-extension/vault_toolbox_component_editor_dark.png" alt="View MDL components in the Component Editor"></ThemeImage>

## Searching & Browsing Components {#searching--browsing-components}

To search for a component, type it into the search bar in the format `Componenttypename.Componentname`. For example, `Picklist.language__v`. Then click **Get**. The component MDL appears in the Component Editor.

Vault Toolbox retrieves all MDL-based components from your Vault, displaying them in the right-hand-side **Component Directory**. To browse components, scroll to a component type in the Component Directory, then click the <Icon name="ph:caret-right"></Icon> icon to expand the list of components. Click on a component to see its MDL in the editor.

Click **Reload** (<Icon name="ph:arrow-clockwise"></Icon>) to refresh the Component Directory to include any new configuration changes.

Toggle the <Icon name="ph:tree-view"></Icon> icon to hide or show the Component Directory.

<Aside type="tip">The Component Editor uses the open-source [Monaco Editor](https://microsoft.github.io/monaco-editor/), customized with *Syntax Highlighting for MDL* and *Sticky Scroll*. You can use **Ctrl/Command + Mouse Scroll** or the **Pinch Zoom** on touchpads to zoom in or out, setting the desired display size. To access the *Monaco Editor Command Palette*, press the **F1** key while focused on the editor.</Aside>

## Modifying Components {#modifying-components}

The Component Editor allows you to modify existing components in your sandbox Vault by executing MDL commands. By default, the Component Editor sends a synchronous request to Vault API, and the execution results appear in the bottom half of the editor.

Some large operations may require an asynchronous request, which the Component Editor supports. Learn which kinds of operations require an asynchronous request in the [API Reference](/vault-api/api-reference/26.1/metadata-definition-language-mdl/asynchronous-mdl-requests).

<Aside>Modifying components is only supported for sandbox Vaults. If you are authenticated to Vault Toolbox with a production Vault, the *Send* button is disabled.</Aside>
To modify a component:

<Steps>
1. Search or browse a component to load its MDL into the Component Editor.

2. Edit the [MDL command](/mdl/documentation/overview#MDL_Commands) in the editor, then click **Send**.

3. Optional: To execute the MDL command [asynchronously](/vault-api/api-reference/26.1/metadata-definition-language-mdl/asynchronous-mdl-requests), click the down chevron on the **Send** button and then click **Send MDL Script Asynchronously**.

4. Optional: To retrieve asynchronous MDL operation results, click the down chevron on the **Send** button and then click **Retrieve Asynchronous MDL Script Results**.

</Steps>

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