.. _Modify_ConvertToURI:

Modify > Convert to URI
"""""""""""""""""""""""

This feature is available from the :ref:`ModifyMenu` when the selected asset is a *blank node*.
For example this can be applied to property shapes that are declared as blank nodes instead of URIs.
It opens a dialog allowing you to enter a suitable URI and then replaces the blank node across the asset collection.

.. hint::
   Using URIs instead of blank nodes is generally recommended to improve data interoperability.
   Blank nodes cannot be referenced consistently and do not have a persistent identity.
   RDF-based languages typically use blank nodes only to represent complex object structures
   such as ``rdf:Lists``, SHACL property paths or OWL class axioms.


**Further Reading on Modify Menu**

* :ref:`scripting_actions`

**Further Reading on TopBraid**

* :ref:`introduction`