Show shape controls without hovering

task australia Updated Sep 10, 2026 1 min read eaw-show-shape-ports.md

Enable an accessibility preference to keep all contextual buttons and controls on diagram shapes visible at all times, without requiring you to hover.

Before you begin

Role required: sn_apm.apm_user

About this task

By default, contextual buttons and controls on diagram shapes are hidden and appear only when you hover over a shape. When you enable the Show all buttons without the need to hover toggle, all contextual buttons and controls remain visible on shapes at all times. This makes it easier to interact with shapes and navigate the canvas, particularly when using assistive technologies.

This preference applies to all shape types in the diagram canvas, including General shapes, ArchiMate shapes, AWS shapes, CSDM shapes, and BPMN shapes. The setting is saved per user and does not affect other users on the same instance.

Procedure

Select your profile avatar in the top-right corner of the Enterprise Architecture Workspace.
Select Preferences.
In the Preferences dialog, select Accessibility.
Enable the Show all buttons without the need to hover toggle.

[Omitted image "eaw-accessibility-show-buttons-pref.png"] Alt text: Accessibility section of the Preferences dialog with the Show all buttons without the need to hover toggle enabled.

Parent Topic:Working with Enterprise Modeling and Visualization

42 lines · 2.1 KB Wrap lines

---
title: Show shape controls without hovering
description: Enable an accessibility preference to keep all contextual buttons and controls on diagram shapes visible at all times, without requiring you to hover.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/application-portfolio-management/eaw-show-shape-ports.html
release: australia
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Working with Enterprise Modeling and Visualization, Managing Enterprise Architecture Workspace, Enterprise Architecture Workspace, Enterprise Architecture]
---

# Show shape controls without hovering

Enable an accessibility preference to keep all contextual buttons and controls on diagram shapes visible at all times, without requiring you to hover.

## Before you begin

Role required: sn\_apm.apm\_user

## About this task

By default, contextual buttons and controls on diagram shapes are hidden and appear only when you hover over a shape. When you enable the **Show all buttons without the need to hover** toggle, all contextual buttons and controls remain visible on shapes at all times. This makes it easier to interact with shapes and navigate the canvas, particularly when using assistive technologies.

## Procedure

1. Select your profile avatar in the top-right corner of the Enterprise Architecture Workspace.

2. Select **Preferences**.

3. In the Preferences dialog, select **Accessibility**.

4. Enable the **Show all buttons without the need to hover** toggle.

\[Omitted image "eaw-accessibility-show-buttons-pref.png"\] Alt text: Accessibility section of the Preferences dialog with the Show all buttons without the need to hover toggle enabled.

**Parent Topic:**[Working with Enterprise Modeling and Visualization](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-portfolio-management/eaw-work-with-ent-model-and-visual.md)