Importing XML to automate layout

Hi,
I have been trying for days to import a XML datafile into InDesign CS4.
I have successfully achieved the following:
Created a DTD file
Imposrted Tags
Created tagged text and image elements
Made sure the structure of document matches XML file
Validated XML with DTD
Imported XML data so that 1 page of data displays perfectly (I am creating a book catalogue)
I can not:
get the repeating elements to automatically display - create following pages (like the first) and populate with data
I have read everything I can find (wich is not much), but no solutions.
Advice will be appreciated. Thanks

If repeated elements in the XML have generated "cloned" corresponding bits of layout, which is probably what you intend, then it should exist as overset text. You can autflow this overset text in the usual way.
If repeated elements XML haven't generated corresponding bits of layout, perhaps your "XML Import Options" settings are wrong. Make sure the "Clone repeating text elements" option is checked. You will probably need to experiment a bit with the other options too before you get it exactly the way you want it -- XML involves "trial and error"!
I'm surprised you are bothering with a DTD. A "validated" XML file is one whose structure complies with an agreed structure for a particular purpose, but all InDesign needs is "well-formed" XML. The only time I ever used a DTD was when I insisted on using one, after a client was being a bit sloppy and changed the structure of the XML he was sending me for my template (without telling me first).
Jeremy

Similar Messages

When importing XML, how do I remove lines with labels but no content?

I am working on a directory whose content is supplied as an XML file. I've created an automatic layout with static text/labels for contact details (e.g. Phone, Fax).
When I import the file, superfluous lines with the static text and no content are created. I have 'Delete elements, frames and content that do not match imported XML' checked.
Is there a way of avoid creating these? I've tried doing a search and replace to remove these but this causes quite a few other problems.
Any help - much appreciated!

Hi Alison,
Did you create the posted XML file by extracting it from a larger file you've been using successfully? I ask because there seem to be a couple of problems with it which make me wonder how you got it to work at all, at least with the provided InDesign file's XML structure:
The immediate child element of the "root" element in the XML document is one called "step2 ". All of the values with which you are concerned are children of that "step2" element, and yet the structure in the InDesign document contains no "step2" element. As a result, when I import, I get nothing at all in my InDesign document's content (though the data are in the XML structure, buried in a newly-created "step2" element.
In both the XML and the InDesign document's XML structure, you have two different elements which are both named the exactly the same - "description" - (actually, in the XML document, there are three of them). When InDesign imports XML, it stops after the first "match" that it finds, so this will not work in any way that I imagine you intend it to. Based on the content of your InDesign document, I would think there ought to be two separate elements in your XML - named something like "step_description" and "category_description".
If, after getting this all straightened out, your question is how to somehow make the text of an empty element (e.g., <description></description>) disappear in the imported result, there are a few possibilities:
Get rid of the text inside the tag markers in your template/base document - for example, instead of having "[step_description]" (where the "[]" represent the tag markers), just make it be "[]". That way, if there is no text value for "step_description", there will be no text left after the import. However, if you put a end-of-paragraph in your template/base file, that will still be there. In most cases, that's not desired, so you might want to put the empty tag ("[]") in the text flow without a carriage return/line break. If you do that, you will need to include the carriage return in the XML data (which admittedly slightly violates the notion of separating presentation from content). Rather than the xml looking like this:
<step_description>This is the text of my step description.</step_description> you would need to make it be this:
<step_description>This is the text of my step description.</step_description>
(having added "" to represent the carriage return (ASCII character 13).
As above, make the tag an empty one, include the carriage return in your InDesign template/base document, and then write (or have written) a script to run after the XML import to deal with such empty tag cases.
Upgrade to InDesign CS3, CS4, or soon, CS5, so you can take advantage of the "XML Rules" feature which was introduced in CS3. XML Rules will essentially allow you to automate the second option - running a script - as the XML import is taking place.
Excuse the long (and probably unclear) post. If I've misunderstood your question, then please excuse it doubly...

Can't Figure Out How To Import XML into a Table?

HELP!
I've been using InDesign for several years now... but everything Ive ever done has been basic one off layout concepts.
I am working on a website for a musical theater actress and for her resume, Id like to make a PDF which lists in table format the show, theatre and role she had for each job.
I could do this manually... but Id really like to learn how to just reuse the same XML data that I have for her website and import it into InDesign.
I have looked at Adobe's help file, I have scoured the internet, and I still can't figure it out... I have done like the adobe support file says... and I cant seem to get the values I create in her resume xml file to show up in a table I create in InDesign.
I even tried to simplify it for the learning process and did something as basic as an XML file that has 5 colors... couldnt even get that working.
So could someone explain it to me like Im a 5 year old... how to take a XML file, import it, place it in a table and have the data actually show up in the table.
thanks,
brian

Are you sure you want to use XML with tables for this? No doubt importing XML into tables is useful for some specialized tasks, such as importing formatting information inside the XML itself, but for most of the familiar tasks that XML excels at, tables are neither necessary nor useful.
In my (limited) experience, if the XML elements are well-differentiated, by which I mean different types of data have their own distinctive tags, then the special powers of XML can be exploited more fully using the more familiar tagged text, nested tags etc. in ordinary text frames using paragraph breaks, tab characters, etc. to achieve a suitably "tabular" finished appearance.
If you must import XML into tables, I recommend Adobe's own PDF "Adobe InDesign CS3 and XML: A Technical Reference" availabe here:
http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/indesign/articles/indcs3ip_xmlrules.pdf
It sounds very daunting -- the words "technical reference" make me shudder -- but actually it's very readable and not very technical at all. Some nice pics and everything!
Jeremy

Import xml data from a variable locations

Hi,
Could some please help me with a solution?
Here's what currently runs on our server. An applications runs and does:
Create an unique folder
Copy a fillable, reader extended form into this folder
Put data in a XML-file (always same filename) and places that in the same folder
Open the PDF for the user to fill in the details.
Now, the change I want to make is to import the data from the XML file into the PDF. I used a button on the form using xfa.host.importData(). This fires up a browse-for-file-box so the user can select the correct xml-file. This works!
However, as the folder from where the PDF opens, is always a different one, the browse-for-file-box opens in the wrong folder. The user does see a XML-file, but that is from a different folder. So, what I wanted is the following:
The form opens
The PDF imports the data from the XML file automaticly, without user intervention
The user finalizes the form and saves it.
In short: How can I create a variable from the folderlocation where the pdf is opened, and merge that with the xml-filename?
Hopefully I than can use xfa.host.importData("filename.xml")
I hope someone can advise me! Thanks in advance!

Hi,
thanks for your responce. It sure was helpfull to have a look at that discussion. However, that article regards a defined source with a fixed path (xfa.host.importData("/c/path/to/xml/file.xml");)
There is my problem. I need to determine the path first since that changes every time. Then I want to import that file using code.
I hope my question is clear. If not, please let me know!
Regards,
Erik
By the way, I also tried opening the same pdf from different folders. Adobe Reader seems to remember where it looked previous for a XML-file. So,if there is a way to set the folder where the browse-for-file-box opens with, that would be great too!

Logon Error in importing XML file by import type - Schema in import Manager

Hi,
I am trying to import the xml file by selecting type XML Schema. I have already created an XML Schema in console based on the XSD file from my desktop and the same is visible in dropdown of XML Schema Tab while importing.
But I am not able to import the XML file based on the XML Schema. I got the Logon Error As : "Cannot load XML file"
Content of the error is like -
(Error:
Commerror80004005 Unsepcified error
Source=mdxml4.dll Description= file:///C:/DOCUM...............
The Namespace provided Differs from the schema's 'http://n............)
Please have you inputs as this is a very critical requirement to pull the XML file based on XML schema automatically based on the ports created in console.
Response wud be highly appreciated.
Thanks & Rgds/Pawan

Hi Jason,
Thanks for your response!
I don't mind you in taking my thread to core MDM stuff. It would be big relief for to have an response on my query.
Actually this is a problem with respect to SRM MDM Catalog.....
I am waiting see the following response threads based on my query..
Thanks once again!
Best Rgds/Pawan

Pass parameter through standard page "import xml content and actions"

Dear Portal experts,
As you know, a standard portal page is configured to allow the import of XML file. It is located in the portal in the path system admin -> transport -> xml content and actions -> import
I configured a quick link u201Cimportu201D to the page so now the link http://myserver:port/irj/portal/import allows me to access directly to this screen.
What I would like to do now is to pass the parameter related to u201Cfile nameu201D through this screen meaning that I would like that http://myserver:port/irj/portal/ import/filename=C:\test.xml fills automatically the fields u201CXML fileu201D with C:\test.xml
Please do you know how to achieve this ?
Thank you very much and regards

hi,
@Maksim :
When user launch an URL like http://myserver:port/irj/portal/ import/*filename=C:\test.xml, he is requested to provide username and password; as this link is a shortcut for the upload xml page, there is a check of authorization and only portal admin that have authorization and permission on this page/iview will be able to upload xml file through the URL. Hope this clarify.
@Kumar :
thank you for your answer. What a pity to not be able to pass parameter through standard portal page/iview particularly knowing that we can pass paramater through many kinds of iviews (transactional iview, url iview, VC iview...). I explored some option on file com.sap.portal.ivs.init.par but this was unsuccessful. However, thanks to this [link bellow|http://wiki.sdn.sap.com/wiki/display/Snippets/ComponenttouploadXMLfilewithPCD+objects], I was able to upload through URL the XML file.
The problem is that I can upload only XML file that are stored in the server not in the local user computer. My requirement is to be able to upload local XML file stored on user's computer.
If someone could provide and idea/solution, I would be very grateful.
Cheers

Importing XML using AppleScript in CS5.

Hi, totally new to inDesign but do programming and database work. I am looking to import an XML file created from our database. I can do a basic import manually after creating document and importing xml to load tags then creating text box element and tagging it and placeholder text. Now trying to automate using AppleScript. Found some samples from inDesign but not sure how to tie all the pieces together. Does anyone have a simple example that takes a small XML file and loads a few records automatcally into indesign. Maybe, create new document, create textbox element and create text placeholders and tags then import xml file?
Thanks,
Joe

I don't work in applescript, but:
Does anyone have a simple example that takes a small XML file and loads a few records automatcally into indesign. Maybe, create new document, create textbox element and create text placeholders and tags then import xml file?
Err, when you say "records," you have me slightly concerned.
Because it is quite difficult to get Data Merge -like functoinality with XML.
Have you tested (and validated!) this workflow withoutscripting?

Import XML to InDesign

New to XML in InDesign, I have a few question, so if you only can answer one or two, please do so.
1. Is there a way to get InDesign to display in the structure the content of the tag, rather than the tag name over and over again?
2. Can you make a search in the Structure, XML file in InDesign? I know once you have it on the page you can show where it is in the structure, was looking for the same function vice versa.
3. We get the data from the App developers, and the data is very messy, lots of spaces, returns etc, which seems legit for the digital version, but in InDesign we have to clean all this up, so when we reimport the data every time with updated content, we have to go through and apply all those manual changes again. What wold be the proper way to tackle this?
4. When we update the XML file later, do we have to update the whole file, or can you specify which section you want to update. Because we do a lot of Typography after inporting, i assume we have to redo this once the XML gets updated.
5. What happens with all the duplicats? Every time you copy and paste a content group, new XML entries, also when you duplicate a page.
Thanks, Dimitri

1. Turn on "Show Text Snippets" to display the beginning of text.
2. Double click an xml-element in the structure pane or right-click and "Go to item"
3. You can clean up the text in the layout with grep find-replace queries (there are scripts that allow make a series of queries in one go). And by script it's possible to clean up xml-elements themselves – e.g. remove returns from certain elements
4. As far as I know, you can only merge or append xml-file. You may want to import xml-file as external link and edit it in another app, but I think you’ll lose formatting in InDesign after updating.
5. Xml-elements are duplicated as well.

Importing XML Text files with Indesign friendly 'Carriage Returns'

Hi,
I have a question wrt importing XML into Indesign. I have my text stored in Excel (Fig A) and intend to export as an XML file where each line will represent each page. However, my first attempt failed to treat the 'carriage returns' as I'd envisaged:
The 'carriage returns' used within an Excel cell (ALT-ENTER) are maintained when transforming to a CSV file (Fig B). However, when converting to an XML file, the conversion only takes place on a line by line basis and hence the XML file becomes incomplete (Fig C).
So, it appears I need to make sure that the CSV file contains one line per entry, while also maintaining the actual carriage returns in my source spreadsheet and for Indesign to recognise them. In order to do this, I'll need to substitute the 'carriage returns' in my excel column to be represented by a new set of characters. My question is how can I let Indesign know to recognise this set of characters to be converted to a carriage return, when importing text.
For example, if this set of characters was '%%%%%%', then my new csv file would look like Figure D and the XML would be produced correctly, like Figure E. Then importing this XML file to InDesign, the carriage returns would automatically be reinstated, hopefully.
I hope someone can help me as I am only starting out in Indesign and feel Im running before I can walk by venturing into the XML/Indesign arena too soon.
Best Regards
Luke

Hi,
Thanks for all the responses.
With regard to XML, it could well be an issue has crept in because I am using another utility to convert my csv's to xml and maybe there are better options out there. I will take a look for other utilities and try that (Its not possible from Excel easily, even though there is an option to save as an XML file).
Secondly, because the XML was readable by internet explorer, I assumed it had a satisfactory standard XML format which would be accepted by any program, including InDesign. This proved true, since the XML file i generated was actually recognised by my Indesign document and populated the tags correctly, albeit without any carriage returns.
When I save my excel sheet as a csv, it does actually hold the carriage returns causing multiple lines per entry, hence why I need to substitute the actual carriage returns in my excel sheet to a alternative character set so that the entry remains on one line.
Re: Double quotes on text fields. Im sorry, I didnt realise I had commas in my sample csv example.
I should have corrected it, but I intend on using semi-colons as my csv delimiter and don't intend on having semi-colons in my excel sheet itself, so I possibly won't need any double-quotes.
So, it looks like this is what I need to do ;
i) Add a column in Excel which substitutes all the carriage returns with a line break identifier (^n).
ii) Convert Excel file to a semi-colon csv holding this new column,
iii) Convert csv file to XML using a good CSV->XML utility,
iv) Add the respective XML tags to my INDD document,
v) Add a GREP rule which does a find/replace on all instances of ^n and replace with a line break,
vi) Import the XML file,
vii) Apply the find/replace GREP rule on the whole document. Carriage returns on my text fields should be consistent with my original excel sheet.
Thanks for all your help fellas. Will report on how I get on once Im done.
Best Regards
L

Unwanted Default Formatting with import XML

I have a problem of unwanted default formatting with import XML. Under InDesign CS6, I import XML with merge mode.
One frame is difficult to apply with the placeholder, I should put the XML element A inside by hand. InDesign automatically applies the character style of the child element B to the following text in element A.
I tried the steps of this article http://indesignsecrets.com/fixing-unwanted-default-formatting.php/comment-page-1#comment-5 62875
But it doesn't work for me.
Dose anyone have an idea? Thanks.

Kasyan, I agree with you!
So this is what i did in xslt.
First I added the following namespace to the stylesheet.
xmlns:file="http://www.jclark.com/xt/java/java.io.File"
This is not supported by indesign, you have to do this with a parser. I used saxon to parse the xml.
And this is the part for the existing file lookup.
If the file exists the image is placed as a href, if it doesn't exist i put the name of the image between brackets. In this case we can see in which image doesn't exist.
<xsl:choose>
 <xsl:when test="file:exists(file:new(string($imagefile)))">
 <xsl:element name="Articleimage">
 <xsl:attribute name="href">file://../images/<xsl:value-of select="Properties/Property[@field = 9]"/></xsl:attribute>
 </xsl:element>
 </xsl:when>
 <xsl:otherwise>
 <xsl:text>[</xsl:text><xsl:value-of select="Properties/Property[@field = 9]"/><xsl:text>]</xsl:text>
 </xsl:otherwise>
</xsl:choose>
I hope it helps for others.
Good luck!
Glen

Import XML, apply XSLT and embed images

Hi everyone. I've been looking for days now about a way to export the content of a website as XML and import it then into InDesign, involving some basic text formatting and maybe links, lists and tables. Getting a XML version of a website isn't actually the problem. But including some InDesign readable formatting structure caused me some headache.
First of all, I used InDesign from CS2 and read a lot about INX structure, XML Namespaces and Tagged Text. None of what I did seemed to result in any acceptable or properly working import. So I've read about CS3 having a new feature of applying XSL Stylesheets when importing a XML file and finally downloaded a trial version to test this out. Problem is, I can't find any helpful documentation on how to use this feature right. Neither in the web nor in your forums.
So how does a XSL file have to look like in order to import XML with some basic formatting?
Let's say the XML looks like this, very simple:
] <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
] <?xsl-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="style.xsl"?>
] <root>
] <text>
] <bold>This text is bold</bold> and <italic>this seems to be italic</italic>.
] </text>
] <underline>I'm under the line</underline>
] </root>
How does my XSLT code in "style.xsl" have to look like in order to tell InDesign that the content of <bold> has to be bold, the one of <italic> italic and leaving <underline> underlined?
I tried placing Tagged Tags around the content with XSL but this just resulted in errors or plain text output in InDesign. I also tried to understand the magical code structure of INX, but left it behind until I recognized how complex it is.
Until now, only Tagged Tags do what they shall do for me. Only problem is, the file with this Tagged Tags has to be TXT, but I want XML. Isn't there any way to apply a XSL file over a XML file and replace the XML tags with some Tagged Tags, and finally import everything successful into InDesign? I tried something like that and told the XSL to output the file as Text with
i <xsl:output method="text" />
but InDesign replies with an error as "text" is not valid for DOM structuring.
Moreover, another problem is with importing images without having them saved on the local machine. Meaning, how to send images embed in XML files?
Here I also tried many things like <![CDATA[base64-code-here]]> and so on, but never happened to tell InDesign that it has to do something with this code instead of just displaying it. Using
i <image href="data:image/jpeg;base64,base64-code-here" />
or anything alike didn't work at all.
In the end, I want to allow downloading a XML version of the viewed site on my website which can be imported into InDesign with all basic formatting used on the site itself. Getting the XML file prepared is just a matter of some PHP scripting. Now I only have to know what InDesign can actually read, and of course, if InDesign is even able to do anything of what I've planned.
I hope someone can help me.
Thank you very much in advance, Dan

XSL will re-arrange incoming XML so that you can flow the XML into an InDesign document that may be arranged differently than the incoming XML file. You still need to set up tags and associate those tags with styles in order to achieve what you want. You can use Maivald's "A Designer's Guide to Adobe InDesign and XML: Harness the Power of XML to Automate your Print and Web Workflows" as a starting point, but you will need to play with the pieces to figure it out. For your simple example, you will need to set up tags in text frames for <bold> and <italic>, create paragaph (or object) styles of [bold] and [italic] and then associate those styles with the tags. Only then can you import the XML file and have things work. InDesign has no pre-defined knowledge of what any XML tag means, even when the meaning seems obvious. You are free to define your <bold> XML tag to mean italic text, for example. Though I've read through the Maivald book and converted a Spanish cookbook to English (as a gift for my mom), I am not by any means overly knowledgeable here. It could well be that there are many ways to achieve the goal and I only know one, lol. Hope this helps.

[JS CS5] Resizing graphics after importing XML, but before placing on page

I've been looking for an answer for this for a long time, and judging by the other posts here, many others are also.
Given an XML file consisting of:
<root>
 <products>
 <product>
 <image href="file:///filepathhere"/>
 <description>
 <product>
 <image href="file:///filepathhere"/>
 <description>
I can import this into a layout, and drag the products element to a text frame. All the images appear inline, and then I run a script that uses XML Rules to locate the images, resize the image frames, and apply an object style. The trouble is, that once in a while the images references by the XML are so enormous that they simply exceed the bounds of the pasteboard, and things blow up.
So what I want to do instead, is to somehow resize the images to a manageable size BEFORE I drag the products element into a text frame.
Ole posted a possible solution here: http://forums.adobe.com/message/1108974#1108974
In that post, he says that "If you're using CS4, can use the resize method to resize graphics that have not yet been placed in a layout." I've been trying to implement his "rough" script, and I can't work it out.
This is what I have:
var myRuleSet = new Array (new processImage);
with (myDoc) {
 var elements = xmlElements;
 __processRuleSet(elements.item(0), myRuleSet);
function ProcessImage(){
 this.name = "ProcessImage";
 this.xpath = "/root/products/product/image";
 this.apply = function(myElement, myRuleProcessor){
 var myImage = myElement.graphics.item();
 myImage.resize(CoordinateSpaces.innerCoordinates, AnchorPoint.centerAnchor, ResizeMethods.multiplyingCurrentDimensionsBy,[.1,.1]);
 myImage.parent.fit(FitOptions.frameToContent);
 return true;
"myImage" isn't valid in the script above. Does anyone know if this is possible, and if so, what I'm doing wrong? Thanks for any light anyone can shed on this!

After spending some more time with this today, I've realized that what Ole was talking about here: http://forums.adobe.com/message/1108974#1108974. He said that "If you're using CS4, you can use the resize method to resize graphics that have not yet been placed in a layout."
What he was referring to was graphics that are in overset text, not graphics in XML that have been imported but not placed.
So, there is no way that I know of to process images and image frames in imported XML that hasn't been placed in the layout yet.
But, a good workaround to my problem that I developed was to first place the imported XML into a very tiny temporary text frame, so that all images are immediately overset. Then I process the images to a manageable size using the resize method, per Ole's suggestion. Then, and only then, do I move the content onto my layout. This avoids problems with graphics being pointed to in the XML that may be too large for the pasteboard.
I hope this obscure technique is useful for someone!

Imported XML disappearing when updating

Hi,
I've got a brochure that imports multiple XML files. I'm having an issue where I update the XML link and it either changes which frame the element is tagged to or deletes it altogether...
What would cause this to happen? Below are the settings I currently use when importing the XML.
I'm still fairly new to using XML files so am guessing it's a poor error on my behalf but any guidance would be great.
Cheers

As an expedient answer before I jet out, download and work with the following assets:
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/digitalpublishingsuite/articles/using-xml-to-automate-producti on-of-digital-publications.html
There is a sample file (a ZIP) at the upper right of the page. It's a good example of how this should work for your purposes.
Mike

How to Import XML file into SAP B1

Dear All,
I have a scenario like,
I am receiving a XML file from a 3rd party application for the daily Creation,Update of Item Master,BP Master, Marketing Documents. I want to import this file into SAP B1 through its approp objects. I understand DTW has limitation in its file types (Semicolo,Tab,Comma,ODBC). How do i do this ? Please guide me.
Thanks,
Thanga Raj K

Hy folks,
I´m frim Brasil and I've been studying the tool EFM (Eletronic File Manager) to learn more about it!
There I saw that we can extract to XML "any" infomation from the database we want, mainly through the GEP.
However, as I've seen, this Add-On can not import any XML file into SBO, unless for the BFP wich can be imported in conjunction with the BTHF Add-on.
So I ask: how is it possible to import XML data into SBO database? Is it possible to be done through the EFM? or it´s really necessary to write a code specifically to do that?
Besides, I know that de B1iSN fit to this necessity... but when I tried to use it, by the custom "object" for BP, for example, there are some data wich the mapping conteined in this custom "process" that can not be imported... I tried to understand how to map those other fields not imported by the custom but this has been dificult to me as I am a implementation consultant focused in administrative process not on development...
Could you please help me with this subject!
Thanks a lot,
Denis

I need to know how to import xml files into indesign cs6.

My client wants to send me xml text files to import into Indesign for a multi-page publication. I don't have a clue where to start. Can you point me to a tutorial that would help me figure this out?
I have a sample file that looks like this:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<providers>
<provider>
 <name>Bow Valley College</name>
 <description>Putting the Community back in college…in the Bow Corrid
ANY TIME, ANY PLACE, ANY PATH, ANY PACE LEARNING.
Designated as the comprehensive community college for Calgary & its
surrounding region, Bow Valley College offers you learning opportunities
through flexible delivery options, including classrooms, online or self
paced modules. Whether you are taking a course for interest, to enhance
your career skills or to finish high school you have access to all of the
traditional Bow Valley College student supports.
Visit our website [2] or come see us at our Canmore campus.
BOW VALLEY LEARNING COUNCIL MEMBER.
Links:
[1] http://www.bowvalleycollege.ca/bow-corridor.html
</description>
 <contact_information>Canmore Campus
Provincial Building, 800 Railway Ave.
Canmore, AB  T1W 1P1
OFFICE HOURS: 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday (except from 12 - 1pm)
PHONE: (403) 678-3125
FAX: (403) 678-3127
BANFF CAMPUS: Lower Level, Banff YWCA, 102 Spray Ave., Banff (ONLY OPEN
WHEN COURSES OFFERED). </contact_information>
 <email>[email protected]</email>
 <website>www.bowvalleycollege.ca/bow-corridor</website>
 <registration_information>Cancellation policy: Once your course has begun no refunds or credits will
be given. Compassionate grounds may be considered with official
documentation. There are no refunds, transfers, or credits if you cancel
within one week of the course start date.
BY PHONE: (403) 678-3125. Payment by Visa or Mastercard
IN PERSON: Canmore Campus, Provincial Building, 800 Railway Ave., Canmore.
Payment by cash, Visa or Mastercard.
 
FUNDING ASSISTANCE MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE ON A LOW INCOME ON SOME
COURSES. PLEASE ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION.</registration_information>
 <courses>
 <course>
 <title>Computer Basics/Windows 7 - Instructor led, Canmore</title>
 <description>An instructor will lead the class through the basic features of Microsoft
Windows, the Internet and Email. Find out how to start programs, create,
save and organize your files and use the online help feature. You’ll also
get an introduction to surfing the internet and setting up an email
account. This course is designed for those with little or no computer
experience – and is still our most popular course. 18 HR COURSE.</description>
 <schedule_entries>
 <entry>
 <date>Mon 6:30 - 9 pm, Oct 7 - Dec 2</date>
 <date>Thu 6:30 - 9 pm, Oct 10 - Dec 5</date>
 </entry>
 </schedule_entries>
 </course>
 <course>
 <title>Word 2010 Introduction - Self-paced</title>
 <description>Explore the basics of Microsoft Word to produce professional letters and
documents. This course guides you through the effective use of the Word
Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar. You’ll learn how to efficiently edit,
move and copy text; manipulate fonts; apply bullets and numbering; borders
and shading; insert and re-size Clip Art; enter headers and footers; insert
page numbers; set alignment and indents; and change page settings. You’ll
learn to use the AutoCorrect feature and finish documents using the
spelling, thesaurus and grammar features.
Self-paced, 18 hr course.
Prerequisite recommended: Computer Basics or equivalent experience.</description>
 <schedule_entries>
 <entry>
 <date>Mon 7:30 - 9 pm, Oct 7</date>
 <date>Thu 7:30 - 9 pm, Dec 5</date>
 </entry>
 </schedule_entries>
 </course>
 <course>
AND SO ON...FOR 64 PAGES WORTH OF CONTENT
HELP!!!
SGAREN

Hello Sally,
First, I have only heard/read good things about the book Steve recommends. It is on my to buy list one day. Been awaiting a long deserved vaction to pick it up to read.
I approach XML files pretty much like I do any text file I am sent in that I will import or copy/paste a text file into a frame in ID and begin setting my styles. With XML, though, I first clean it up, move closing tags up to their logical close lines, remove spurious codes that mean something in HTML but don't necessarily belong in the XML file (like &#x2019 which is an apostrophe so I do a search and replace. But for   which is a non-breaking space I simply search and replace with a regular space in general), and make sure the XML validates.
Validation is much like making sure an HTML page is formed properly. I use an XML editor (XML BluePrint) and a text editor (UltraEdit) for these tasks. If I had to only have one or the other, I suppose the XML editor is what I would use.
I always show the import options when I import the XML and make sure that I link to the file.
So once a sample of the XML is on a page in ID (via File | Import XML), I highlight text within a tag, say like in your example above, the Providor name, and make it like I want and then create a new style. I generally name the styles as per the XML tag. Later on, that makes mapping tags to styles a little easier.
Once I set up all the styles preliminarily, I map the tags to styles. You can do that either via the Tags palette or via the Structure Pane that will appear once the XML is imported. In both cases, it is found via the flyout menu at the top right of their respective windows.
After mapping my styles to the tags, I select the root element in the Structure Pane (the topmost element. In your sample above it is "providors" and delete it. This removes the XML in your ID file. But the styles and tags are still present.
Then I import the XML again and look to makes sure all the tags/elements are styled as intended. I then correct any errors/ommissions. Then...I'll delete the XML again and import the full XML file.
I can upload what I did with your XML sample above so you can compare it to your source file if you would like. You would then see how/where I moved tags. Now, moving the tags is only "necessary" to avoid all the extra blank paragraphs. That can be accomplished by ID's search/replace, too. But I like to start out with the XML cleaned up, so I take the few minutes to do it.
Take care, Mike

Importing XML to automate layout

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