Selecting the XML Source

This procedure describes how you select the URL which sends the XML source to the XML iView at runtime.

The URL must be point to a valid XML source. You may only choose an XML source if your portal provides an XML transformer that is able to parse the specific input XML format. SAP ships a number of standard XML transformers with the portal, but also provides a framework and transformation service that supports custom-developed XML transformers. See Defining the XML Transformation .

The XML iView Editor and Wizard provide a fully functional built-in browser, which you may use to navigate the Web and select the source URL. Using the built-in browser is not mandatory if you already know the URL to the source XML.

1. Open the XML iView in the XML iView Editor.

2. In the XML iView Editor, select the Configure URL option.

   The current URL defined for the iView is displayed in the XML Source box.

3. To modify the URL do any of the following:

   • Enter a URL address directly in the XML Source box. Use this option if you already know the URL of the Web page you want to display in the iView.

     • Do not enter parameters directly in the XML Source box. Add parameters in the parameter list (see Configuring URL Parameters ).

       At runtime, the portal compiles the full URL using the URL domain (as defined in the URL box) and optional parameters.

     • Do not enter special characters, such as the number symbol (#) or question mark (?), in the XML Source box.

   • Click Browse next to the XML Source box. A new browser window opens, which you can use to navigate the Web and choose the XML source to be displayed in the iView.

     Note

     • All hyperlinks and controls within the displayed Web page are active. When you click a link you are taken to its destination in the same window.

     • In some cases, the built-in browser of the portal is unable to suppress or take control of certain JavaScript events. For example, clicking a link might open a new browser window instead of opening it in the built-in browser window. In such cases, copy the URL from the external browser and paste it into the built-in browser in the URL box.

     • To close the built-in browser window without applying changes, click Cancel in the Browse tab.

     Once you have reached the page containing the XML source you want to display in the iView, click OK in the portal's built-in browser window. You are returned to the XML iView Editor. The URL address of the selected XML source is displayed in the XML Source box.

     If the URL of the targeted XML source includes URL parameters they will be stripped from the URL displayed in the XML Source box. The parameters will be displayed in the editor in the parameter list.

   • Perform a combination of the two options mentioned above. For example, enter a base URL of a given site in the XML Source box and then click Browse to navigate within the site to the URL of the XML source using the portal's built-in browser.