Support : Dialog Search Aids : Successful Searching : XML

XML

Use the XML command to output search results directly to an XML file instead of displaying on the screen. Output results as an XML file if you expect to format results in a DialogLink Excel or Word template.

The basic XML command consists of the word XML followed by a set number, a format, and the items (records) you want. You may also include Dialog ERA™ (Electronic Redistribution and Archiving) options.

Examples:

    XML s1/5/all
    XML s3/9/1,5,10-15 archive 7 redist 5

When you enter an XML command, the Choose a File to Download To window opens so that you can name and save your file. The default directory for saving DialogLink output files is the Download folder (Dialog > Link > Download) but you can use the Save in box to navigate to another directory.

To create a new file, enter a file name in the file name box and click Save.

To append records to an existing file or overwrite an existing file with the new records, select the existing file name and click Save. The system will prompt you to choose Append or Replace. To add records to the existing file, click Append. If you decide to overwrite the existing file, click Replace.

A confirmation displays in the Retrieve buffer when the XML command has completed.

Example:

 2 records were written to C:\Documents and Settings\My
  Documents\Dialog\Link\Download\myfile.xml 

You may bypass the display of the Choose a File to Download To window by adding APPEND or REPLACE and the destination file name after the number of items in the XML command.

Examples:

    XML s1/5/10-15 append myfile
    XML s3/9/all redist 7 replace marketingfile

If the system does not find a file of the name you specified in the Download directory it creates a new .txt file of that name and places your records in the new file. This means you should take care to type an existing file name correctly. It also allows you to use APPEND or REPLACE with a new file name to create a new file.

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