DataStyler

DataStyler is an application that uses Microsoft Word 2003/2007 for quick creation of templates for variable data embedding. The application utilizes RenderX XEP to produce final reports in the PDF, PostScript or AFP formats.

DataStyler is created with the help of a rich client technology that features floating windows, different user views and perspectives, wizards, progress indicators, workspace layout management (save/restore), automatic updates and so on.

Microsoft Word 2003/2007 is used as the environment for template layout design. It is a widespread text processor which enables a user to work with texts in the open-standard XML format. Special XML tags are used for indicating data merge points in a template. The special XML tags’ attributes can be modified with the help of the application’s graphic interface. The template design is a flexible process and depends on a user’s skill level. The simplest way is just to drag-and-drop XML data elements from the DataStyler window that shows the merged data structure onto the layout of the Microsoft Word document. A predefined table layout to embed the corresponding data elements will be generated automatically. Later on, a user can modify the layout as well as the insertion tags that use XPath expressions.

Also a user can utilize a set of predefined layout fragments from the Snippet Library and map the data to the XML tags of these snippets. The Snippet Library is extendable, which means that a user can drag-and-drop any layout element from a Microsoft Word document into the library and use it as new snippet in the future.

The process of data merge is of a declarative nature: It is possible to define conditions for filters for embedded data, calculated fields (including totals and subtotals), formatting masks, relations between different XML data fragments (like ‘one-to-one’, ‘one-to-many’). It enables to create reports of complex structure and logic without programming. The templates can be easily modified by composing the resulting report interactively. DataStyler makes it possible to point out in template and embed any SVG data in the resulting document, for example to render histograms, barcodes, etc.

RenderX XEP, a high-end XSL FO (XSLFO) processor, is used as formatting engine for template transformation into output formats. Integration of XEP with DataStyler makes it possible to produce reports in PDF, PostScript, AFP and other formats supported by the given formatter version. The integration procedure is aided by a wizard that helps to locate the XEP rendering engine, check the list of supported output formats and to save the XEP-related settings in the DataStyler configuration file.

DataStyler is designed for joint work with the XMLRG report generating system integrated with Oracle Database. A user can export a report template from DataStyler to be used in XMLRG, and, vice versa, a template can be imported from XMLRG into DataStyler for modification.

Also it is possible to use the DataStyler API Beta command line utility for data merge and reports generation. This application uses templates created with DataStyler and XML data source files to produce printable reports. It is a 100-percent Java application and can be run on both Windows and Linux/Unix platforms.

There is also web site with additional technical materials and demos at www.datastyler.com.

DataStyler is a combination of software and sample documents. DataStyler API is also a combination of software (a command line tool) and sample documents.

DataStyler Beta and DataStyler API Beta are available for download for internal, end-use purposes only (excluding the commercialization of information technology products), subject to the terms of the DataStyler Beta Software License Agreement and DataStyler API Beta Software License Agreement accordingly.