3.4 - Building Data Maps

Data Maps allow you to convert data from one layout or format to another. On the left side of a map is a Source profile, and on the right side is a Destination profile. We can drag-and-drop fields from our Source profile into our Destination profile in order to indicate how the data should be moved. In addition, we can add Functions to our data maps, which allow complex conversion logic to be applied to the data as it is moved across.

In the diagram above:
"1" represents the document as it's currently laid out (the input)
"2" represents the document as you would like it to be laid out (the output)
"4" is the Source profile, which describes the layout of your input
"5" is the Destination profile, which describes the layout of your output
"3" is the Map, a graphical representation of how the fields in your Source profile should get mapped to your destination profile.

To create a new Map:

Click New in the Component Explorer of the Build Tab
Choose Map as the Type
Enter a name for the Map
Choose the folder in which to save the Map
Click OK

This will display the Map Editor window.

Choose Source And Destination Profiles

Once the Data Map editing window opens, Source and Destination profiles must be selected. Click on the "Choose Source Profile" icon (GREEN Plus sign) in the left hand column. A new Profile may also be created from the Choose Source icon.

Note: More on Creating and Editing Profiles here: 3.3 - Building Data Profiles
Once the Source is selected or created, choose the Destination Profile in the same manner.
Your map should now show both a source profile and a destination profile:

Creating Connections In a Data Map

Drag and drop elements from the source profile (on the left) to the destination (on the right)

A line will appear between the source element and the destination element, indicating that data will be moved from one to the other when the map runs.

Note: Rules for connecting elements:

Source Profile Elements: Multiple connections may be made from a source element to a function, or destination element.
Function: Multiple data elements may be used as input for a function. Multiple connections may be created from the output of a function.
Destination Profile Elements: Only one connection is made from a source element or function to a destination element.

Adding Functions to a Data Map

A function allows data to be modified as it moves from the source element(s) to the destination element(s). For example, you might want to change the format of a date, concatenate two string into one, or perform a database lookup.
New functions may be created by clicking on the add function icon (GREEN plus sign) in the center window of a Data Map.
To connect a function to your process model, drag any source elements into the input of the function. Then drag any outputs of the function to the destination elements.

Note: See the Map Functions section for information on how to build a Map Function.

Default Values

Default Values can be used in two ways:

If a source element is mapped to a destination element with a Default Value, the Default Value will only be used when the source value is null or blank.
If no source element is mapped to a destination element with a Default Value, the Default Value will always be used. This is how you can "hard code" static values.

To set a Default Value:

Click the dropdown () and next to the desired destination element and select Set Default Value.
Enter a value and click OK.
The default value will now display in parentheses next to the element name.

Editing a Map

To edit an existing Map, navigate to the desired Map Component in the Component Explorer and double click its name or open a Process that uses the Map and double click the Map shape. Once the Map is opened for editing, the source and destination Profiles may be changed, Map Functions modified, and connections between elements added, deleted, or re-arranged.