Selecting XML data structures

Use the Select XML Data Structures page of the wizard to select one or more XML data structures to include in an Analytics table.

XML data structures consist of elements, nested child elements, and attributes that Analytics identifies when it analyzes an XML file. They are displayed in the XML Data Structures treeview, which is a hierarchical representation of the XML file. Each XML data structure is represented by a table icon , and the name of the XML element and nested elements or attributes that it contains.

Prior to selecting one or more XML data structures you should review the XML file and determine a suitable Analytics table structure for your audit objectives. With that table structure in mind, select only XML data structures with columns that match columns in the intended table structure. You can use the subsequent pages in the wizard to fine-tune the individual elements to include, and modify column properties.

If you need to analyze an XML file with a complex structure, you may need to import the XML file more than once. You can select different data structures for each Analytics table you create, and then join or relate the tables in Analytics.

To select data structures:

  1. In the XML Data Structures treeview, click the name of an XML element to select the associated data structure for inclusion in the resulting Analytics table.

    The names of the columns in the data structure, with sample data, are displayed in the Sample Structure pane. Names preceded by the @ symbol are derived from an XML attribute rather than an XML element.

    Note

    If more than one instance of a nested element exists within the data structure, the repeated element may not be listed in the data structure in the treeview. You can select the specific instances of the repeated element in a subsequent page of the wizard.

  2. Click Add to add the data structure to the Preview pane.

    All the displayed elements and attributes in the selected data structure are added, with column names that correspond to the element and attribute names.

    The data is displayed if Auto Preview is checked.

    Note

    Generating a preview of the data in a large XML file can be slow, so the Auto Preview option is automatically deselected for XML files larger than 2 GB.

  3. Repeat steps 1 to 2 to add any additional data structures that you want to include in the Analytics table.
  4. Click Next.