The transformation input files are XML files that define mapping rules. For most forms, before you transform forms to pages that you can use with the RoleTailored client, you must define the transformation input. Some simple forms do not require input, but for most forms, we recommend that you use the Transformation Input File (TIF) Editor to specify form transformation input files. You can also modify the transformation input .xml files directly instead of using the TIF Editor.

This topic describes the TIF Editor and the workflow that you use to create and modify transformation input files by using the TIF Editor.

For more information about transformation input files, see Understanding Form Transformation Input Files.

Elements of the Transformation Input File Editor

The user interface for the TIF Editor is a form that you run from Object Designer in the Classic client. The form that you run is form 177000, Transformation Forms. In this way, the TIF Editor offers a familiar environment for creating and modifying the transformation input in a tabular format rather than in the XML file. If you use the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Developers Toolkit, the TIF Editor also has data about form objects, which significantly improves efficiency and accuracy of the input data entry.

The TIF Editor consists of the following objects:

  • TIF.fob – A set of objects that make up the editor’s functionality.

  • FormToPageTypeMapping.txt - A list of form types, definitions, and their matching page types.

  • Schemas - TransformationInput.xsd, DeletePageElement.xsd, IgnorePage.xsd, IgnorePage.xsd, and MovePageElement.xsd

Transformation Input File Editor Workflow

In your application, you may have forms that are the standard application forms, with or without customizations, and you may have Microsoft Certified Partner solution forms. The following steps summarize the workflow for the TIF Editor. Some steps in the workflow are optional, based on whether you have standard application forms or partner solution forms.

  1. Install the TIF Editor. For more information, see How to: Install the Transformation Input File Editor.

  2. If you have standard application forms, import the standard application transformation input files to view and modify transformation input specifications. For more information, see How to: Import Transformation Input Files.

  3. If you have partner solution forms, populate the TIF Editor with these forms. For more information, see How to: Get Forms in the Transformation Input File Editor.

  4. Import the list of form types, definitions, and their matching page types, to be used for lookup. For more information, see How to: Import Form to Page Mappings.

  5. Specify the page type for partner solution forms. The standard application forms already have the page type specified. For more information, see How to: Specify PageType.

  6. Specify the CardFormID for list forms that have associated cards and that are partner solution forms. The standard application forms already have the CardFormID specified. For more information, see How to: Specify CardFormID.

  7. Define additional input specifications for the form transformation. For more information, see Specifying Form Transformation Rules with the Transformation Input Files Editor.

  8. Validate form transformation. For more information, see How to: Validate Form Transformation.

  9. Export the input data out of the TIF Editor to create XML input files. The files are validated against the XML schemas. For more information, see How to: Export Files from the Transformation Input File Editor.