The User-defined Data Sources allow tags to be defined in a xml file in the template, but their values only get set once the template gets merged using the DocGeneration API from a calling method written by a software developer (refer to the Software Development Kit (SDK) DocGeneration Generation Suite document). This data source is mainly used in advance solutions where data is being merged into templates from an entirely different system. This data source initially has no source of data.
Note:
If the User Defined Data Source is unavailable for use, ensure that the "External system call to SharePoint" or "External system call to Merge Server" initiation types have been selected in Template Initiation.
Building a user defined data source:
- Select "User Defined" data source type.
- Enter a name in the Data Source name field.
- Data Tags can be added by clicking the “Add” button.
- An Add Tag window will appear to set properties of the Data Tag. A name must be given and the data type must be chosen as in the screenshot below:
- A Table Tag can also be created from the “front end interface” by selecting the “DataTable” data type:
Buttons:
- Adds a Data Tag to the table.
- Edit selected Data Tag that has been created in the table.
- Delete selected Data Tag from the table.
- Moves selected Data Tag up in the order.
- Moves selected Data Tag down in the order.
Once the table's tags have been created it can be viewed from the Generated Tags pane:
- From the Available Tags pane, the created Data Tags can be edited or removed by selecting the Data Tag and clicking the appropriate button.
- When the Data Source is finished being constructed, “OK” can be clicked to add it to the template.
Exporting a User Defined Data Source:
DocGeneration allows the user to create a User Defined Data Source and save it in the form of a .qdf file and reused in other templates.
- To save a User Defined Data Source click on the “Export” button:
- A dialog will open that will allow you to save the file to a location of your choosing on your machine.
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