Introduction
The
Template Builder is an extension to Microsoft Word that simplifies the
development of RTF templates. While the Template Builder is not required to
create RTF templates, it provides many functions that will increase your
productivity.
The
Template Builder is tightly integrated with Microsoft Word and allows you to
perform the following functions:
·
Insert
data fields into your RTF templates
·
Insert
data driven tables
·
Insert
data driven forms
·
Insert
data driven charts
·
Preview
RTF templates with sample XML data
·
Browse
and update the content of form fields
This help
document assumes a basic working knowledge of Oracle XML Publisher. Please
refer to the Oracle XML Publisher User’s Guide for
additional information. This Template Builder version is based on XML Publisher
5.0.
Menu Bar: The menu bar gives you access to the functionality provided by the Template Builder for Oracle XML Publisher.
Data Menu: The data menu allows you to select the data source for the template. The data source defines the XML format that will be merged with the RTF template. You must load a data source to use most of the template builder functionality.
·
Load XML Data…
This function allows you to select a sample
XML file that contains all fields that you want to insert into your template as
a data source.
·
SQL…
This function allows you to specify a SQL
query and an Oracle database connection to create the XML for the Template
Builder. It opens the SQL dialog before loading the data.
Insert Menu: The insert menu allows you to insert data fields and groups from the data source into the template.
·
Field…
This function
allows you to select fields from your data source and insert them into your
template. It opens the Insert Fields dialog.
Note: As a
beginner, you should use Insert Fields only for data fields that are
unique – none repeating - in your document. Refer to the Insert Table section
for additional information on how to insert repetitive fields
·
Table/Form…
This function
allows you to insert tables or forms into your template. It opens the Insert
Table/Form dialog. From this dialog you may insert data fields to be organized
as a simple or nested table or as a form that is repeated with different data.
You may even organize all the data fields for the whole document before
inserting them.
·
Chart…
XML Publisher does
not recognize native Microsoft Word charts. The Insert Chart function allows
you to insert a chart that is understood by Oracle XML Publisher. It opens the
Insert Chart dialog, which allows you to define parameters for your chart.
·
All Fields
This function
inserts all fields found in the XML data into your document. It will also
insert processing instructions into your document that will repeat a section –
such as a table row – when the associated XML element is repeated.
XML documents often
contain a large number of fields in a deeply nested hierarchy. For example, an
Oracle Purchasing purchase order contains purchase order lines, which contain
shipments, which contain distributions. The purchase order line alone contains
more than 150 data fields. In these cases, you should use the Insert
Table/Form function to have more control over which fields are inserted.
Preview Menu: The preview menu allows you to preview your RTF template with sample XML data. Use the Data menu to upload a sample XML file. The preview menu offers you PDF, HTML, RTF and EXCEL as output formats. When you select any of these output formats, the Template Builder will use XML Publisher to merge the data into your template and create the output document.
Note:
You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or higher installed to preview
documents in PDF format. Download Acrobat Reader for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
Tools Menu: The tools menu provides you with additional tools that help you in with translating and modifying RTF templates for Oracle XML Publisher.
·
Field Browser…
The field browser
is a tool for advanced users who need to change the XML Publisher commands
hidden in the form fields. It shows the commands behind each form field and
allows you to change them. Use this tool to correct flawed RTF templates or to
update multiple fields efficiently.
·
Options
The options
function allows you to define some preferences and options for using XML
Publisher. It opens the Options Dialog.
Help Menu: The help menu allows you to access the online help.
·
Oracle Template Builder Help
This function shows
this help file.
·
About Oracle Template Builder
This function shows
the copyright notice and the version of Oracle XML Publisher Template Builder.
