Using XML import and export

You can import data from an XML file, using an XML schema specific to iBase and your database. XML import is a type of bulk import and so can only be run in iBase Designer, although import specifications can be created in iBase provided the user logs on as a system administrator.

You can export data to XML, although you may also want to consider exporting Microsoft Excel as an alternative to this. The export can contain any number of entity and link types. In iBase, you select the data to export using queries and sets and save the selection as a database subset definition. You base the export on this definition.

There are some restrictions on how the import and export is run, as explained below. In particular, you cannot import pictures or documents.

Because XML exports can be used to export large amounts of data (potentially all the records in a database), XML exports are not audited and no alerts are raised.

Setting up the database for XML import and export

XML import and export is available in SQL Server databases that support Unicode.

To allow import from XML files:
  • You, or your SQL Server administrator, must activate bulk import. See the Administration Center for detailed information.
To allow export to XML files:
  • Initialize the database for database subsets. You need to do this in iBase rather than iBase Designer, when you are logged on as a database administrator. Any iBase user can run XML export.
Note: You can deny access to XML export using System Command Access Control groups.

Generating an iBase schema file

You can only import data from XML files that use a schema that is compatible with your iBase database. To generate a schema that you can use to validate XML files for import:

  • Select Tools > Database Design > Generate XML Schema File.

This will generate two files: <name>. xsd file and iBaseTypeLibrary.xsd.

The type library contains definitions for all iBase field types apart from Picture and Document (some field types share the same definition).

Note: All the details of the database schema will be saved in the XSD file. You may wish to consider this before sharing XSD files with third parties.

Refer to the XSD files for information about the supported data types and the required file structure.

Importing data as XML

  1. Select File > Data > Import.
  2. In the Import Wizard, turn on the Bulk Import check box and select the XML (iBase Schema) File option.
  3. Set up and run the import specification in the usual way. Notice that the following features are not available when importing from XML:
    • The Source Field column displays the XML element names, which should correspond to the iBase field names as you cannot reassign source fields or skip unwanted fields.
    • You cannot preview the source records.
    • You cannot transform the data in a source field by applying actions to it.