• Chapter 1: Getting Started with Stylus Studio
• Chapter 2: Editing and Querying XML
• Chapter 3: Converting Non-XML Files to XML
  • Overview
  • Choosing an Input File
  • The Convert to XML Editor
  • Parts of an Input File
  • Working with Regions
  • Working with Fields
  • Controlling XML Output
  • Creating a Convert to XML Converter
  • Using Converters in Stylus Studio
  • Properties Reference
• Chapter 4: Working with XSLT
• Chapter 5: Creating XSLT Using the XSLT Mapper
• Chapter 6: Debugging Stylesheets
• Chapter 7: Defining XML Schemas
• Chapter 8: Defining Document Type Definitions
• Chapter 9: Writing XPath Expressions
• Chapter 10: Working with XQuery in Stylus Studio
• Chapter 11: Composing Web Service Calls
• Chapter 12: Accessing Relational Data as XML
• Chapter 13: Extending Stylus Studio
• Chapter 14: Stylus Studio Reference

Home > Online Product Documentation > Table of Contents > Defining Fields

Defining Fields

You can define fields in any region in a fixed-width input file, as shown in Figure 156. Once you have defined a field, you can change its size by simply dragging it to any column in the grid.

Figure 156. Line Identifying a Field in a Fixed-Width Input File

Each field you define is treated as a separate element in the XML output by the converter. The input file shown in Figure 156, for example, would result in XML with two <field> elements, one consisting of the make of motorcycle, and one consisting of the model, year, and mileage. You can use the field feature to exercise control over the XML - defining separate fields for make, model, year, and mileage, for example.

Consider the following input file:

Make        Model    Year    Mileage
               
BMW         R1150RS  2004    14274  
               
Kawasaki    GPz1100  1996    60234  
               
Ducati      ST2      1997    24000  
               
MotoGuzzi   LeMans   2001    12393  
               
BMW         R1150R   2002    17439  
               
Ducati      Monster  2000    15682  
               
Aprilia     Futura   2001    17320 
               

            

By default, each row is considered to have a single field, containing Make, Model, Year, and Mileage, resulting in XML output like this:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
               
<root>
               
	<row>
               
		<field>Make        Model    Year    Mileage
               
 
               
</field>
               
	</row>
               
	<row>
               
		<field>BMW         R1150RS  2004    14274  
               
 
               
</field>
               
	</row>
               
...
               

            

If you specify fields for Model, Year, and Mileage, the XML output by the converter looks like this:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
               
<root>
               
	<row>
               
		<field>Make</field>
               
		<field>Model</field>
               
		<field>Year</field>
               
		<field>Mileage
               
 
               
</field>
               
	</row>
               
	<row>
               
		<field>BMW</field>
               
		<field>R1150RS</field>
               
		<field>2004</field>
               
		<field>14274  
               
 
               
</field>
               
	</row>
               
...
               

            

Neither approach is always correct, but this feature gives you the ability to define the type of XML output that is appropriate for your use.

To define a field:

2. Click the Begin Field in This Column ( ) button. This action is also accessible from the ConvertToXML menu and the shortcut menu in the Convert to XML Editor.

Stylus Studio displays a thin blue line that identifies the start of the newly defined field.

To remove a field:

The procedure for removing a field is the same as the procedure for defining one - place the cursor on any character adjacent to the field line you want to remove and click the Begin Field in This Column ( ) button.