Controlling output with XML

[Riccardino]

Hi,

is it possible to write a stylesheet that generates a document (in pdf or rtf or MS Word or any other format can handle styled text and images) with highly customized settings?

For instance: if a customer wants his logo (places in a media field) in the upper left corner and another customer wants it in the footer, is it possible to obtain the output without having to create 2 different forms in Servoy?

This would be great, but I don't know if I'm asking too much...

[bcusick]

I think what you're really looking for is an XSLT transformation (where the "raw" XML is then merged with a particular output style).

I don't think we support XSLT transformations at the moment (at least not in a single method).

[Riccardino]

I think what you're really looking for is an XSLT transformation (where the "raw" XML is then merged with a particular output style).

I don't think we support XSLT transformations at the moment (at least not in a single method).

I was exactly asking for that: it would be nice to have it
Anyway, since I know XSLT transformations can turn a raw data XML output into a pdf, a word document, an Excel worksheet etc., I'm not sure it allows to dinamically place a graphic object inside the document...
If it doesn't, you can use this technique only to create generic documents: a good option, but I was looking a way to customize output without having to modify the forms or create new ones.

PS I know: I'm a lazy boy...

[patrick]

Just a thought: Word knows XML very well since Office 2003 (except that MS "invented" their own grammar). So you could create a Word document that looks however your customers like and replace placeholders in that.

[bcusick]

PS I know: I'm a lazy boy...

Aren't we all?

I think it's a good idea... and I'm sure it's doable, and I'm sure someone somewhere has a bean that will do it... but I'm sorry that I can't give you a more "solid" answer.

[Riccardino]

Just a thought: Word knows XML very well since Office 2003 (except that MS "invented" their own grammar). So you could create a Word document that looks however your customers like and replace placeholders in that.

It would be a good idea if only Microsoft was at least compatible with itself.
Try to open a Office 2003 Xml file with Office X 2004 (the newest version for OSX) and see what happens...

[Riccardino]

PS I know: I'm a lazy boy...

Aren't we all?

I think it's a good idea... and I'm sure it's doable, and I'm sure someone somewhere has a bean that will do it... but I'm sorry that I can't give you a more "solid" answer.

Well: it's a starting point.
I'll try to search into the ocean of available beans and see if there's something that can do the job...