Add a custom import/export/report in the Data Transformation collection

Last update 2011-10-20

Applies to

PDXpert PLM client software releases 6.1 through 6.6. For recent releases, refer to Data Transformations collection > Adding a new Data Transformation in the help guide.

Adding a custom Data Transformation collection member

PDXpert can output custom export files and reports based on a combination of standard XML-based technologies. It can also import bill of materials files into an assembly structure markup.

• The export data flow is: Database > [PLMX or Data Query] > data transformation XSLT > [export file or [RDLC > report]]
• The import data flow is: Import source file as XLS, XML, CSV, etc. > data transformation XSLT > Assembly structure in database

Create the new Data Transformation member

To add a new Data Transformations member in the Collection Explorer:

1. In the Collection Explorer's General tree, navigate to the Data transformations node.

2. Open the context menu, and select Add Member.

3. In the new member window, assign a name to the data transformation.

4. Select Provider as Table-formatted data unless directed otherwise.

5. For reports and exports, set the Is for import checkbox as False. If this is a Markup importing file, mark the checkbox as True.

6. Open the .xslt file in Windows Notepad or WordPad (not in Word or other word processing application).  Copy the entire contents (Ctrl+A), and paste it (Ctrl+V) into a new data query member's XSLT textbox.

7. If you're not adding an optional Data Query or RDLC report format, then lock the window (F2 key), and close it.

Add an optional Data Query member

The Data Query tab contains SQL pass-through queries, which are occasionally required to filter PLMX datasets. With the Data Transformation window still open:

1. Open the data query xml/text file in Windows Notepad or WordPad (not in Word or other word processing application). Copy the entire contents (Ctrl+A), and paste it (Ctrl+V) into a new data query member's Data Query tab's textbox.

2. If you're not adding an optional RDLC report format, then lock the window (F2 key), and close it.

Add an optional Report Template member

When the output is a report rather than file export, the RDLC tab contains the report formatting information in a Microsoft .rdlc file. With the Data Transformation window still open:

1. Open the .rdlc file in Windows Notepad or WordPad (not in Word or other word processing application). Copy the entire contents (Ctrl+A), and paste it (Ctrl+V) into a new member's RDLC tab's textbox.

2. Lock the window (F2 key), and close it.

After you've completed these steps, use the Report/Export Wizard to display the results.

This application note was relevant to the PDXpert software release that was current at time of publication. Product changes since that time may affect its utility. We'd be happy to assist you in assessing the applicability of this note to your situation.