Forum Discussion

pnataraj03's avatar
pnataraj03
Ideator I
5 years ago

Dear all, do we have Batch loader for ARAS Technical Documentation module (similar to what we have for Parts and BOM creation) to create contents in tech doc editor and create / update?

Dear all, do we have Batch loader for ARAS Technical Documentation module (similar to what we have for Parts and BOM creation) to create contents in tech doc editor and create / update?
TD: Technical Documentation
AngelaIp's avatar
AngelaIp
Ideator I
5 years ago

Hi Pnatara,

short answer: No. Wished by myself this feature would exist. Not sure if someone in the community already made the attempt to build something. Its maybe possible to reuse content generator Methods for building this kind of feature.

  • rif6894's avatar
    rif6894
    Ideator I
    5 years ago

    This question needs to be addressed. The ArasLabs and other Method examples detail how to add content after the Technical Document has been created, not during initial Item creation.

    I wish to use a server method to:

    1. Create the Technical Document with the name/number being taken from a list or CSV file (local to server, not client)
    2. Add a Title block, with the information taken from a list or CSV file,
    3. Add a Text block for description, with the information taken from a list or CSV file
    4. Add a Text block with no content, to allow the users to continue the document.

    These steps must be completed before the user first opens the Technical Document Item, so a ItemInfo approach is not applicable, as the data is defined at the time of Item creation, not at the first view or edit by a user.

    • AngelaIp's avatar
      AngelaIp
      Ideator I
      5 years ago

      What we need in Aras is some kind of XML editor than can build XML structures. Actually not just for TechDocs, I have other user cases were I also would need XML or JSON for export to other data sources. 

      I wonder if the task it actually hard to achieve?

      Importing Excel or CSV is not a big deal. 
      We mainly need an overview of how Innovator structures technical documents. 

      E.g. this one is a title element:
      <Title aras:id="9861eafb8c444c5b98ea3410a80cb4df">
          <aras:emph>Table of content</aras:emph>
      </Title>
      I assume the id is generated on demand. We "just" have to rebuild this structure and this way you should be able to import existing documents. 

      Easy. :D

      • Skyler_Crossman's avatar
        Skyler_Crossman
        Ideator I
        5 years ago

        I'm curious what you're envisioning for the XML editor. XML has a lot of variations and I doubt there'd be a one-click converter from any source of technical documentation (what if it was kept as a word doc? or a pdf?) but exporting is at least easier than importing.

        I might dig into the details of techdocs. No promises, but we have been on the lookout for new blog posts. . .