Exercise 2 - Using separate file for XML tags

Herein, we shall take up the same Excel sheet (i.e. StockItem Master) as we did in the Exercise 1. The only difference is that now we shall write XML tags in a separate file rather than the Excel sheet itself.

STEPS:-

1) You may create your own Excel sheet with few Stock-Item sample records or download it from here.

2) Next, create a plain TEXT file using NOTEPAD and write the following XML tags :-

<XMLTAGS CELLREFERENCE="A1" xmlns:UDF="TallyUDF">
<MASTER TYPE="STOCKITEM">
<NAME.LIST>
<!-- Fetch the value for NAME tag from Column A of Excel Sheet -->
<NAME COLUMNREFERENCE="A"/>
</NAME.LIST>
</MASTER>
</XMLTAGS>

3) Save the file as "exercise-2-stock-item-master-xml-tags.xml". Ensure that you select "All Files" in the Save-as Type box, otherwise your file gets saved as "exercise-2-stock-item-master-xml-tags.xml.txt"

4) Once the Excel sheet and the XML tags file is ready, follow these steps:-

a) Start Tally and Create/Open a Dummy Company
b) Minimize Tally
c) Start UDI-Magic and select option "Excel to Tally"
d) Next, select the option "Masters"
e) Next, select the XML tags file and the Excel sheet using the Browse button.
Please note that the XML files is to be selected in the same screen in which you are prompted to select the Excel sheet.

f) Next, Follow instructions to import data into Tally.

Summary

Writing XML tags in a separate file has more advantages as compared to writing XML tags within the Excel sheet. Some of the advantages are :-
a) No need to copy XML tags into each new Excel Sheet that you may create. End-users need to just select the Excel sheet and the XML tags file in UDIMagic to import data into Tally.
b) You can use XML editors that perform Syntax-checking as you type the tags. One of such Editors is "Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition" which is a FREE software. However, if you write XML tags in the Excel Sheet Comments-section, there will be no Syntax-checking.
c) Editing XML tags is easy as compared to editing tags when written in the Comments section of Excel Sheet

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