Entity Framework : How do you refresh the model when the db changes?

Update CodeFirst Model is not possible automatically. I don't recommend either. Because one of the benefits of code first is you can work with POCO classes. If you changed this POCO classes you don't want some auto generated code to destroy your work.

But you can create some template solution add your updated/added entity to the new model. then collect and move your new cs file to your working project. this way you will not have a conflict if it is a new entity you can simply adding related cs file to the existing project. if it is an update just add a new property from the file. If you just adding some couple of columns to one or two of your tables you can manually add them to your POCO class you don't need any extra works and that is the beauty of Working with Code-First and POCO classes.


Are you looking at the designer or code view? You can force the designer to open by right clicking on your EDMX file and selecting Open With -> ADO.NET Entity Data Model Designer

Right click on the designer surface of the EDMX designer and click Update Model From Database...

All entities are refreshed by default, new entities are only added if you select them.


EDIT: If it is not refreshing well.

  • Select all the tables and view-s in the EDMX designer.
  • Delete them.
  • Then, update model from database

I have found the designer "update from database" can only handle small changes. If you have deleted tables, changed foreign keys or (gasp) changed the signature of a stored procedure with a function mapping, you will eventually get to such a messed up state you will have to either delete all the entities and "add from database" or simply delete the edmx resource and start over.


This might help you guys.(I've applied this to my Projects)

Here's the 3 easy steps.

  1. Go to your Solution Explorer. Look for .edmx file (Usually found on root level)
  2. Open that .edmx file, a Model Diagram window appears. Right click anywhere on that window and select "Update Model from Database". An Update Wizard window appears. Click Finish to update your model.
  3. Save that .edmx file.

That's it. It will sync/refresh your Model base on the changes on your database.

For detailed instructions. Please visit the link below.

EF Database First with ASP.NET MVC: Changing the Database and updating its model.