Importing Objects from XML Files

PowerDesigner allows you to import objects from an XML file by defining mappings between the elements in the XML schema and objects in the PowerDesigner metamodel (and any extensions). The import mappings are defined in an extension file, can be shared with all users through the repository library, and are accessed by selecting File > Import > Import Name.

Once an import is defined for a particular XML schema, any XML data files conforming to the schema can be imported. If you do not have access to the schema, PowerDesigner can infer a schema from a data file.

Note: The following procedure gives an overview of the process for defining an XML import. If an administrator has already defined an import and provided the resource file to you, you can perform an import directly by selecting File > Import > Import Name.

Select Tools > Resources > Extensions > Model Type to open the appropriate extension file list.

Note: As XML imports are mapped to a specific set of objects in the PowerDesigner metamodel, you must choose the correct type of extension file. For example, if you are importing business processes, you should create the import definition in a business process model extension file. If the objects defined in your schema do not relate to any of the standard PowerDesigner model types, you should choose a free model (see The Free Model (FEM)) extension file. If appropriate you can, alternately, define the import in a DBMS or language definition file (see Creating and Copying Resource Files).
Create a new extension file in the list to contain your XML import definition (see Creating an Extension File).
Create an XML import definition in the extension file (see Customizing and Extending PowerDesigner > Extension Files > XML Imports (Profile)).
Save the extension file and test the import by selecting File > Import > Import Name.
[optional] Check the extension file into the repository library to have it automatically deployed to all users (see Sharing Resource Files via the Library).