2018.1

l a Data Mapping Configuration, see "Loading a Data Mapping Configuration" on the
facing page. A Data Model and sample data are part of a Data Mapping Configuration.
l a data file, see "Adding data from a data file" on page661
l a database, see "Adding data from a database" on page664.
When you open a data file or a database, the Data Model will be derived from it unless there
already is an open Data Mapping Configuration; in that case, the current Data Mapping
Configuration will try to retrieve data from the file or database, using its own Data Model and
extraction logic.
After opening a Data Mapping Configuration or opening a data file or database, the Data Model
pane at the right hand bottom shows the data fields that occur in the data.
The Value column displays data from the first record in the data file. Use the First, Previous,
Next and Last buttons to browse through the records, or use the Page Up, Page Down, Home
and End keys.
Constructing a Data Model without data
You can add fields and tables and set default values for fields in the Data Model; see
"Changing the Data Model" on page838.
You could even build a Data Model in the Designer from scratch. That is a good approach
when a Connect solution does not require a data mapping configuration; for example, when a
web page is created by passing JSON data to the Create Web Content task in Workflow.
However, it isn't possible to enter data directly into the Data Model, so you won't be able to
preview the template with actual data in the Designer.
Note
Generally, the best way to get access to data is by creating a Data Mapping
Configuration. With a Data Mapping Configuration you can, among other things:
l Use the same data file with a different template, or use different kinds of data files
with the same template.
l Load transactional or structured data. If there are detail lines, transactions, or any
variable number of items to put into the template, you need to a Data Mapping
Configuration to extract them.
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