Conversion from RDF to XML Publisher

Question

Hai,
This is my first posting. I am presently working on XML publisher.
1) I need to convert reports from report builder 6 to XML publisher.
I am using the following procedure.
1. In the Define window change the output to XML.
2. Run the report. Save the output as .XML file.
3. Using the XML file generate the RTF file. Do necessary change.
4. Register in the XML publisher administrator responsibility.
Is this the correct process of converting the reports or is there any other method or tool that can be
used?
2)     Can you let me know the process of converting in BI publisher latest version also?
Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Hi,
It looks like you have got it pretty much spot on. There are a few things that you must ensure you have done correctly in the XMLP Admin responsibility for XMLP to pick up the templates when you run your concurrent program.
1. Locate the required Concurrent Program definition and using the COPY button at the bottom left of the form copy the Concurrent Program and give it a new NAME and SHORT NAME. The main reason for doing this is that if Oracle releases a patch that updates the original Concurrent Program, it will not affect your new custom one. Make a note our you new Concurrent Program SHORT NAME as you will need this later.
2. Change the output of your new Concurrent Program to XML and Save.
3. Add your new Concurrent Program to the required Request Group so it can be seen by the responsibility you want to run it in.
4. Run the report and save the XML Output to a location on your local machine.
5. Using the MS Word Template Builder Plug in, load you XML Data and build your RTF template. Test this using the Preview functionality in the Template Builder plugin.
6. Login to eBusiness Suite with the XML Publisher Administrator responsibility and go to Data Template.
7. Create a new Data Definition. The Name and Description can be anything meaningful. HOWEVER the SHORT NAME must be exactly the same as the SHORT NAME of the new Concurrent Program you have created. If this is incorrect XMLP will not be able to pick up the Data Definition when the Concurrent Program is run!! Click Save/Apply and that is that step completed.
8. Click the Template Manager tab at the top right of the page and create a new Template Definition. Here the Name and Short Name can be anything you like. Select the name of the Data Definition you have just created. The template type should be RTF for an RTF Word template. Click Save/Apply
9. Now run your Concurrent Program and the XMLP should automatically pick up your template and output your XMLP Report.
There are tools available that can convert an RDF Oracle Report, these are available in the latest version of the MS Word Template Builder Plugin. These will take an RDF file and create a DATA TEMPLATE (an XML version of the RDF query), and an RTF Template (a template version of the RDF Layout).
These can then be uploaded into eBusiness Suite in much the same way as detail above. The difference is that you have to create a new Concurrent Program and instead of using an Oracle Reports Concurrent EXECUTABLE, you use an XMLP Concurrent EXECUTABLE. This is well documented in the XMLP User Guide under Data Templates.
I hope this helps a little. Please let me know if you are still having issues running RDF reports with XMLP.
Regards,
Cj