Define External File Template Details

Explanation

Use this activity to define external file template details, i.e. detailed definitions of how to interpret an input file or how to write a file line on an output file.

Since a file template is always associated with an external file type, this means that the template details defines how to handle data associated with the available file type columns.

Please note the following:

• Use LOV functionality where available.
• If the file template id valid for files with string separated columns then Column No specifies the column in a file line for which the detail applies.
  In this case do not used the columns Start Position and End Position.
• If the file template id valid for files having columns with fixed positions then Column No should not be used. Please use columns Start Position and End Position instead.
• It is possible to define a default value that is used if the column/positions in the file has no value. The Default Value column is used to specify fixed default values. The String Evaluate column can be used to defined a value that is evaluated during the processing. Available values are presented in a list.
  Also note that during the creation of an output file the Default Value and the String Evaluate columns are used to set values if there is no value in the Destination Column.
• The control column can be used to define the columns that together defines an unique identity. During processing of an input file the marked control columns will be used to build an identity string that is checked against old identity strings. If the identity string is found an error will be raised, else the string will be stored. This functionality makes it possible to prevent the External Files toolkit from accepting the same identity more than once.

Prerequisites

An external file template header must be available that is not system defined. The file type associated with the file template must also contain accurate definitions of record types and column definitions.

System Effects

The file template detail definitions defines in detail how to interpret a file line during read or how to format a file line during write and the definitions can now be used for processing of input and output files. However the following must be handled first:

• Define Input and/or Output Files options.
• Define file template control instructions if necessary.
• Make sure that the template definition is valid.
• Mark the file template as active.

Window

External File Template

Related Window Descriptions

External File Template
External File Template - Detail

Procedure

1. Go to the Details tab in the External File Template window.
2. Click New.
3. Use LOV to view valid record type identities. Select record type identity.
4. Go to the Column ID field and use LOV to view possible column identities and select the column identity that the detail line applies to.
5. If the file template is valid for files with string separated columns then Column No must be specified.
   If the file template is valid for files with fixed column positions, then Start Position and End Position fields must be specified.
6. Specify Oracle date format if the data type of the column is DATE and if the general template date format does not apply.
7. If the data type of the column is NUMBER then the Denominator column can be used to specify number of decimals in the format 10, 100 etc. The definition will override the general template denominator definition.
8. Check the Control Column if the value related to this column, together with other control column related values (defined in the same template) should be used to build an unique identity used when performing identity control of a read file line.
9. Check Hide Column, if this column should not be displayed in the external File Transaction window.
10. Enter a value in Column Sort if the execution order is not the same as the order of Column No / Start Position.
    This can be necessary for columns having detail column functions.
11. Enter a value in Max Length, if a control for maximum allowed length of the content for this column should be executed.
     
12. Use RMB Function Details to open a dialog where Column Function Details can be specified.
     
13. Click Save to store the detail definitions.