Scratch 22: Creating XML Publisher report from scratch in eBS

Question

Problem:
How to build a XML Publisher (XMLP) report in eBS from scratch. Thus NOT adapting or converting an existing report.
Context:
I have an eBS R12 Vision instance up and running where I want to learn building XMLP reports.
This is what all tutorials I can find tell me to do:
Most reports apparently consist of a layout template e.g. TEST.rtf and a data template e.g. TEST.xml. Now in order to generate a new report layout I am supposed to take existing output in XML format and (using ‘Load Data’ function in Template Builder plugin in Word) specify in my layout template where and how I want the actual data to pop up. So far so good.
But now I want to build the data template from scratch and use it combined with a layout template. So I build the data template but can’t use that for building the layout template. For that I need output, for which I need a layout template.....
Sounds like Catch 22 to me. How do I break this?
1. Can I generate an XML-output file from the XML Data Template alone?
2. Can I build my (RTF) layout template directly based upon the XML Data Template?
3. Or have I completely lost the plot?
Oh yes, dunno the first thing about Java and do not have My Oracle Support..
Edited by: rjvencken on Jul 5, 2012 10:39 AM
Edited by: rjvencken on Jul 5, 2012 10:51 AM

Answer 1

1. Can I generate an XML-output file from the XML Data Template alone?
create data definition with your data template-> create concurrent -> output as xml -> run -> view output and your xml
I thought the XDODTEXE engine would pick up the (Layout) Template through concurrent program definition CPD short name which in turn points to the Data Definition (and thus Data Template). So does your answer mean I can call straight from CPD to Data Definition? I tried registering my Data Template in the Template Tab but it will not take XML as a type.2. Can I build my (RTF) layout template directly based upon the XML Data Template?
if you want to use xml publisher desktop then you need xml (with data, not definition)
So that's not an option I understand. Weird cuz I'd expect this to be technically easier.btw you can create your layout (rtf) without xml (data) and without data template (xml with select statement)
create filed and past tag definition
Yes but in that case I'd have an empty report. How would that help me?bouble click on filed:
"Text Form Field Options" -> "Add Help Text ..." -> "Status Bar" (tab) -> "Type your own:"
if you use bi publisher desktop plugin
bouble click on filed:
"BI Publisher Properties" -> "Advanced" -> "Code"
or switch to Word Properties
"BI Publisher Properties" -> "Word Properties" and use above path
3. Or have I completely lost the plot?
may be ;)