1.8

l a Data Mapping Configuration, see "Loading a Data Mapping Configuration" on the
facing page
l a data file, see "Adding data from a data file" on page597
l a database, see "Adding data from a database" on page599.
A Data Model and sample data are part of a Data Mapping Configuration.
When you open a data file or a database, the Data Model will be derived from it unless there
already is an open Data Mapping Configuration; in that case, the current Data Mapping
Configuration will try to retrieve data from the file or database, using its own Data Model and
extraction logic.
After opening a Data Mapping Configuration or opening a data file or database, the Data Model
pane at the right hand bottom shows the data fields that occur in the data.
The Value column displays data from the first record in the data file. Use the First, Previous,
Next and Last buttons to browse through the records, or use the Page Up, Page Down, Home
and End keys.
Note
Although it is possible to load data from a data file or database in the Designer without
creating a Data Mapping Configuration for it, generally the best way to extract data is by
creating a Data Mapping Configuration. With a Data Mapping Configuration you can,
among other things:
l Use the same data file with a different template, or use different kinds of data files
with the same template.
l Load transactional or structured data. If there are detail lines, transactions, or any
variable number of items to put into the template, you need to a Data Mapping
Configuration to extract them.
l Format, transform, conditionally include/exclude and enhance data from the source
file.
l Use Workflow to automate the extraction of data from this kind of data file.
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