Selecting data
In order to extract the data, it is necessary to first define the data to be extracted, by selecting it. How this is done depends on the data source type. The following paragraphs explain how to create and manipulate a data selection for each different type of data.
Data selections are used to extract promotional data (Extracting data), transactional data (Extracting transactional data) and to apply a condition to an extraction (Condition step). They can also be used to control the workflow through conditions and loops.
Right-clicking on a data selection displays a contextual menu with the actions that can be performed with that selection or the steps that can be added with it. That menu also displays the keyboard shortcuts.
Text or PDF file
To select data in a Text or PDF file, click on a starting point, keep the mouse button down, drag to the end of the data that needs to be selected and release the mouse button. The data selection can contain multiple lines.
To resize a data selection, click and hold one of the resize handles on the borders or corners, move them to the new size and release the mouse button.
To move the data selection, click and hold anywhere on the data selection, move it to its new desired location and release the mouse button.
In a Text or PDF file, when you move the selection rectangle directly after extracting data, you can use it to select data for the next extraction.
However, moving the selection rectangle that appears after clicking on a field in the Data Model actually changes which data is extracted into that field.
CSV/XLS/XLSX file or database recordset
Tabular data is displayed in the Data Viewer in a table where multiple fields appear for each line and row in the original data.
To select data, click on a field, keep the mouse button down, drag to the last field that you want to select and release the mouse button. You cannot select multiple lines with tabular data.
Alternatively you can select fields just like files in the Windows Explorer: keep the Ctrl button pressed down while clicking on fields to select or deselect them, or keep the Shift button pressed down to select consecutive fields.
XML or JSON file
XML data is displayed as a tree view inside the Data Viewer.
JSON files are automatically converted to XML and displayed accordingly.
To get a better overview you can also collapse any XML level.
In this tree view you can select nodes just like files in the Windows Explorer: keep the Ctrl key pressed down while clicking on nodes to select or deselect them, or keep the Shift key pressed down to select consecutive nodes.
You can select multiple fields even if those fields are in different nodes.
The Goto step is rarely used in XML extraction workflows. The DataMapper moves through the file using Xpath, a standard query language to identify and navigate nodes in an XML document.