Service Pack 1 of Altova's Version 2011 product line is now available for download on our Web site. SP1 includes helpful bug fixes and other enhancements and is a free update for all v2011 license holders, as well as any customer with a valid Support and Maintenance Package.
Update to SP1 here, and if you haven't upgraded to v2011 yet, you can catch up on all the new features here.
We are excited to announce the latest updates to our StyleVision online training course, which will help you easily come up to speed on the new reporting and chart creation functionality added in Version 2011, as well as how to create a StyleVision design (.SPS) based on an existing XSLT stylesheet.
The final chapter in the course covers scripting, another advanced feature added in v2011. Access this chapter to learn how the scripting and toolbar editor helps you add flexibility and interactivity to the Authentic eForms you design in StyleVision. After an overview of the scripting capabilities, you'll practice inserting macros, adding custom toolbar buttons and event handlers, and adding forms to your design.
Like all Altova Online Training courses, the StyleVision modules are available on demand and are completely free. If you're not a StyleVision or MissionKit customer, you can download a fully functional free trial before starting the training.
We rely on your feedback and suggestions to update our online training classes and deliver the content you need most for your day-to-day work. Please let us know what you think of the new StyleVision chapters!
With the XBRL US conference just around the corner, it's high time to brush up on your knowledge. Fortunately, the Altova Web site has everything you need to learn the intricacies of XBRL vernacular, XBRL taxonomy structure, how XBRL relates to XML, XBRL reporting, and more.
Altova XBRL Resources
So, check out these resources, download a free 30-day trial of the MissionKit, grab a cup of coffee, and start exploring XBRL today… and don't forget to stop by our booth next week at XBRL US in Philly!
We are thrilled to announce that with the release of Version 2011, XMLSpy is now available in a Chinese language edition. The new fully localized Chinese edition of the XMLSpy XML editor provides the same powerful functionality found in the English, German, and Japanese versions for editing, transforming, and debugging XML-related technologies. With the release of Version 2011 XMLSpy also adds ground-breaking new support for creating eye-catching charts based on XML data, making it the first and only XML editor on the market to support chart creation. XMLSpy 2011 also delivers several new customer-requested features, including a new schema flattener, extended SOAP validation capabilities, and enhanced functionality for creating schemas.
For our current XMLSpy 2011 customers you can unlock any language version using your existing key code. If you’re not an XMLSpy user download a free trial of XMLSpy 2011 to begin using all of the powerful new functionality available in Version 2011.
Our decision to bring the localizations services in-house demonstrates our commitment to the Chinese market, and allows us to pass that cost savings on to you, our customers. The Chinese language version of Altova XMLSpy 2011 is currently available in Professional and Enterprise Editions and is available for purchase now from the Altova Online Shop or through your preferred reseller.
XMLSpy 2011中文版本推出
我们很激动地宣布2011版本的发布，XMLSpy现在已有中文版可用，新的完全本地化的中文版XMLSpy XML编辑器如今可以提供英语，德语和日语多语种的编辑，转换和调试XML相关的技术，随着2011年的版本，我们还增加了突破性的基于XML数据创建醒目图表的支持，使之成为商场上第一个和唯一一个支持图表创建的XML编辑器，除此以外，我们还添加了多个客户要求的功能，这些功能包括新模式拼合，扩展的SOAP验证和为创建模式增进的功能。
XMLSpy 2011当前的用户可以使用现有的键码解锁全部语言的版本，如果您还不是我们的用户，您可以下载免费试用版本，开始尝试2011版的强大新功能。
我们的本地化决定证明了我们致力于对中国市场的决心，使我们有机会帮助用户来节约成本，价格从136欧元或15232人民币起，标准，专业和企业版都具备中文版本，您可以通过Altova网店或其他首选经销商购买。
The Altova team is excited to be in Las Vegas this week to exhibit at Microsoft DevConnections! Beginning November 2, you can find us in booth #526 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
If you are attending DevConnections, be sure to come by and meet with the Altova team. We will be demonstrating the newest features of Version 2011. Altova Software Version 2011 delivers a bounty of new and exciting features, most notably support for charts and reporting across multiple Altova MissionKit tools. This new reporting functionality is truly unique to the Altova MissionKit, which is now the only XML toolset that supports the creation of charts using XSLT or XQuery for visualizing and analyzing XML data.
Viva Las Vegas!
Ah, StyleVision… it really is so many different things packed into one powerful application. Stylesheet designer, report builder, eForms designer, and multi-channel publisher, with additional supporting features like charting, Authentic® scripting, and XBRL reporting - it sometimes seems like it does everything short of Vulcanian mind-melds (coming in SD 7411.4). But, for the here and now, let's focus on multi-channel publishing.
Multi-channel publishing is the ability to use a single source of information to provide enterprise content that can be formatted for delivery to different channels like Web, intranet, and traditional print. This methodology can be easily integrated into existing publishing technologies and workflows to maintain overall production value without disrupting the flow of day to day business processes.
StyleVision even expands on its multi-channel publishing support with the ability to base publishing templates on multiple disparate data formats including XML, DTD, XBRL, and database source(s). This means that your templates can integrate data from multiple XML sources, or even combine data from an XML Schema and a relational database. In fact, you can even create designs to publish XML documents stored inside relational database columns (currently supported for IBM DB2 and SQL Server only).
Multiple Output Formats
The StyleVision design interface lets you visually create templates for multi-channel output in HTML, RTF, PDF, Word 2007+, and Authentic® eForms. Using drag-and-drop and advanced entry helper windows, you can easily create an attractive and functional template design for distribution to virtually any modern publishing medium.
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StyleVision autogenerates standards-conformant XSLT 1.0/2.0 and XSL:FO stylesheets based on your template design to instantaneously publish your source content into the target output format of your choice. Simply click on the relevant output tab on the design pane to render your data at any time. You can even view or save the generated transformation code.
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To create a multi-channel publishing template in StyleVision, simply open an existing XML Schema, XML instance, DTD, XBRL taxonomy, or database, and the content model will appear in the Schema Tree entry helper. You can even connect to multiple XML and database schemas to incorporate data from multiple sources – such as an XML file and a database – in your design. When you select an element or attribute that you wish to see in your report and drag it from the Schema Tree window onto the design pane, StyleVision prompts you to specify how you would like the new node to be handled (for example, as a new paragraph, image, table, etc.). This information will be rendered dynamically based on the data in your source(s). You can also insert static content such as header text, images, hyperlinks, and so on.
StyleVision also offers an alternative design paradigm for those more accustomed to working with common desktop publishing applications. For more information, see the Electronic Forms Design page.
The StyleVision interface provides advanced entry helper windows for viewing, editing, and assigning the style and layout properties of each element or document section in your report design. Learn more about this functionality on the Stylesheet Designer page.
To meet the specific rendering requirements of XBRL financial reports, StyleVision includes an easy to use XBRL Table Wizard. Learn more about this feature on the XBRL Rendering page.
Conditional Templates
Conditional templates add to StyleVision's multi-channel publishing capabilities, enabling you to apply advanced dynamic functionality to your design. Conditional templates are based on XPath expressions and allow you to design forms with layout and presentation that changes based on source data in the XML file(s) or database.
Advanced publishing protocols like output-based conditions enable you to display multi-channel content differently depending on its delivery format. Conditions for specific output can be placed around individual parts or components of the document, thus providing considerable flexibility in the way the different output documents are structured. For example, HTML output may require functionality like hyperlinks or special instructions that are not necessary for print output.
Content Editing
StyleVision designers can also easily create and distribute electronic forms for editing using Authentic, Altova's low cost XML and database content editor. Together, these two applications provide an easy-to-use and powerful content editing framework that lets developers create a robust data entry application that can publish output to multiple channels. For more information, see the Authentic Forms Design section.
Functions
Multi-channel publishing templates designed in StyleVision support advanced functionality such as auto-calculations, business logic validation, and much more. Read more about advanced stylesheet functions.
Charts & Graphs
StyleVision also supports creating detailed multi-channel documentation with visual representations such as charts and graphs. As with all StyleVision designs, charts can be rendered for multi-channel output in HTML, RTF, PDF, Word 2007+, and as electronic forms. For more information, see the Charts & Graphs feature page.
Check out StyleVision and add true flexibility to your business documentation with powerful support for multi-channel publishing. Download a free 30-day trial of today!
StyleVision has really benefited from some very cool new features in our past and current releases - absolute positioning, editable variables in eForms, global templates, and of course, charting, bring power and flexibility to your report generation and electronic forms designs.
Now with our 2011 release, the addition of an integrated scripting environment expands on these features, giving you the ability to create robust data entry applications for Authentic users. Scripting functionality is embedded directly into the StyleVision design (SPS) so that Authentic end-users only need to open an eForm to start updating XML and database sources.
Event handler and macro components can be written using supported scripting languages, JavaScript or VBScript, and you can also design input forms graphically using drag and drop functionality.
To embed scripting functionality in a StyleVision design (SPS), open the Scripting Editor window via the Authentic | Edit Authentic Scripts menu command or by choosing Authentic Script from the Design tab context menu.
The Scripting Editor provides an interface through which you can create any of the following four main components:
Global Declarations
The GlobalDeclarations component is presented by default in every scripting project. Variables and functions are added using code fragments written in the scripting language (JScript or VBScript) associated with your project.
An example function, StartChangingAddress, appears below:
Variables or functions created in the global declarations script are accessible to all forms, event handlers, and macros in your scripting project.
Macros
Macros let you create functions that are called from other scripts or event handlers. For example, the macro shown below uses the GlobalDeclarations, including the StartChangingAddress function, to create a form for adding information to an active XML document.
Macros can be specified and associated with StyleVision design elements using the Authentic group in the Properties window. Object events that are supported for macros are:
Macros are controlled in the right-click menu of the scripting project tree, where you can add or rename.
Event Handlers
Event handlers can also be defined by selecting the Events icon in the toolbar of the Properties and Events pane. Here, you can define the behavior that the application should exhibit once a specific action is initiated or completed. Events that can be controlled include mouse movement and clicks, drag and drop, key presses, and more.
Authentic View event scripts added in Version 2011 include:
The scripting editor provides a folder which contains the full set of events for which event handler scripts can be written.
Forms
The Authentic Scripting Editor lets you graphically build forms using a palette of objects such as text input fields, buttons, labels, and more.
General form properties such as size, background color, font styles, etc. are defined in the Properties pane.
The form object palette provides all of the objects that are available. Registered ActiveX controls can also be added by selecting the Add ActiveX Control command in the right-click menu.
Once an object has been inserted in your design, you can specify its appearance properties - such as alignment, borders, scroll bars, etc. - in the Properties pane.
Authentic View scripting gives StyleVision designers complete and flexible control over various aspects of the user interface. In addition, extensions to the existing COM APIs add more flexibility for scripting and interactive eForm design.
For example:
Interactive object-specific design elements - such as the click of a button, modification of form elements, focus change between fields, etc. - can be accessed through the Authentic interface. User actions include OnClick, OnBeforeLinkClick, OnBeforeChange, OnAfterChange, OnSetFocus, and OnKillFocus.
Entry helper windows can be suppressed to ensure that Authentic end-user access is limited only to modification of the intended elements, attributes, and entities.
Context (right-click) menus can be completely customized by removing existing or adding new commands.
New toolbar buttons can be created and associated with macros, giving the designer the ability to add completely new commands to the toolbar.
Custom and standard toolbars can be modified by disabling any buttons that the end-user should not have access to.
The COM API has also been extended with new interfaces and additional methods and properties including:
Check out all of this new functionality and more - download a free 30-day trial of StyleVision today!
With the release of Version 2011 we are thrilled to bring you the Altova MissionKit in Japanese. Now all the Altova tools available in the MissionKit have been fully translated into Japanese. Like the English and German versions of the tool suite, the fully translated Japanese language version provides users with powerful functionality for XML and Web development, data mapping and integration, rendering and publishing of XML, XBRL, and database data, UML modeling, and more.
All the tools available in the new Japanese language version of The MissionKit are available at the same cost as the English versions, and current Version 2011 users can now unlock any language version using their existing key code.
If you haven’t checked out our latest release – Version 2011, download a free, 30-day trial today! The Japanese language version of all the MissionKit tools can be purchased from the Altova Online Shop or through your preferred reseller.
We are proud to announce that Altova was selected for the “2010 Best of Beverly” award in the Computer Software Development category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)! The USCA “Best of Local Business” award program recognizes outstanding local business throughout the country and each year identifies companies they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category.
We are proud to be recognized by our local community for our success in the software industry as well as for the contributions we’ve made to the local area, such as committing to use renewable energy.
And be sure to check back often to learn more about what we’ve been up to, including the most recent software release – Altova MissionKit Version 2011 – to helpful Tech Notes, the latest industry buzz, and other Altova awards.
A colorful, eye-catching chart is much more vivid and communicates meaning more quickly than a table of numeric data. As part of the v2011 launch of the Altova Missionkit on September 8, 2010, DatabaseSpy 2011 includes a new SQL charts tool that provides a wide variety of charting features to graphically represent SQL query results.
DatabaseSpy 2011 supports the following chart types to provide the most appropriate representation of various data sets:
DatabaseSpy SQL Charts Tool Supported Databases
DatabaseSpy 2011 supports multiple database types and can generate charts from the results of SQL queries to the following databases:
Charting SQL Query Results
A link in the Altova DatabaseSpy 2011 SQL Editor Results window toolbar opens the Chart Selection dialog to initiate data charting.
The chart tool icon opens the Select columns dialog, where users can specify which column of the Results table to use for the X-axis. Users can also change the order of value columns, or even leave one or more results column uncharted. This feature permits multiple charts to be generated for subsets of data from a single query that retrieves many table columns.
The data is initially plotted using the default chart type and settings in a new Charts window. Like other DatabaseSpy helper windows, the Charts window can be unpinned, moved, and resized, as a floating window. The Charts window has nine tabs that permit users to specify properties of nine different charts that can even be assigned to different query results.
The Change Type dialog gives users instant access to a wide variety of other chart styles.
Within each chart type, sub-menus specify all the details of the chart appearance. Numerous customization options are available for each chart type, including chart titles, foreground and background colors, definition of axis ranges and labels, control of fonts, text colors and sizes, and more.
A pull-down menu also lets users save and reload customized chart settings in files, for instance to store standardized chart styles and reuse them with multiple query results.
The screenshot below shows a few of the settings for the line chart at the top of this page, which illustrates the same temperature and humidity data shown in the SQL query screenshot.
The screenshot below shows a bar chart reporting total sales for the year to date by sales territory. This is a typical example of a chart style that can be reused in a report that is frequently updated with the latest sales data.
Multiple Charts from a Single SQL Query Results Table
Generating multiple charts from the same SQL query is simple and straightforward by selecting different columns of data in the Results table. The SQL query in the screenshot below returns the population and land area of the boroughs that make up New York City:
Users can choose any tab in the Charts window, then assign data by clicking the Select Data menu option in the Charts window menu bar.
Here are examples of an ordinary pie chart and a 3-D pie chart generated individually from the population and square miles data columns of the Results table:
DatabaseSpy 2011 lets users change the chart colors by selecting an alternate palette or any custom colors.
Gauge Charts from a Single Value or Calculated Results
Gauge charts are used to illustrate a single value and show its relation to a minimum and a maximum value. For a round gauge chart, users can specify the beginning and ending values of the range, and the starting and ending locations on the gauge.
DatabaseSpy 2011 enables complete gauge customization through selection of the background color, border color, needle color, text font, size, and color, and more.
DatabaseSpy 2011 can generate charts from results tables that contain relational data, or from results of calculations performed by SQL queries. Gauge charts are a good fit for illustrating a single calculated value. The screenshot below shows a percent of quota calculation in a DatabaseSpy 2011 SQL Editor window, based on a table of stored daily sales and sales quota data.
The calculated value can be more dramatic when represented in a bar gauge chart, where DatabaseSpy 2011 permits multiple background colors defined by ranges along the axis, as shown below.
Export Charts for Reports
DatabaseSpy 2011 exports charts to image files in .png, .bmp, .gif, or .jpg files in customized sizes, independent of the size of the chart window on the screen to create eye-catching visual elements in reports of all types.
Whether you are a developer, business analyst, research professional, or other database user, DatabaseSpy 2011 can generate elegant charts from SQL query results to illustrate your data reports – download a free 30-day trial today!
If you'd like to find out for yourself how well DatabaseSpy works with other Altova tools, download a free trial of the Altova MissionKit.
On September 8, Altova released v2011 of the MissionKit with powerful new features across the entire product line. MapForce has benefitted from the addition of advanced data integration functionality like chained transformations, integration with StyleVision for rendering transformation output, new formatting functions, and extended support for the UN/EDIFACT and ANSI X12 EDI formats.
Let's take a closer look at the exciting new features in MapForce 2011 including:
Chained transformations
Support for chained transformations lets you create complex mappings where the output of one mapping becomes the input of another. This is a powerful feature that adds to MapForce's ability to execute fully automated transformations. Each chained component becomes a modular entity in an interdependent transformation sequence, allowing for conversions to be made on-the-fly.
You can create chained transformations using any number of mapping components connected to a final target component. Preview and code generation features can be displayed/generated for intermediate components, as well as for the final mapping result.
Intermediate mapping components also now have a "pass-through" button in the title bar that lets you define the set of data that gets passed on to the following component.
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For example, the mapping above shows a chained mapping where the pass-through button is active and sample data is assigned to component A. The output preview offers two separate sets of data: XML that conforms to the Contacts.xsd schema and incorporates a subset of data mapped from the Employees.xml sample file, and XML that conforms to PersonList.xsd using data from the Employees sample file. In both cases, the data has been amended with the relevant constants and functions that are shown in the MapForce design pane.
Integration with StyleVision for output components
Support for Global Resources throughout the MissionKit has already offered you some integration between Altova software applications… But this feature takes that integration to a whole new level, allowing you to render XML and XBRL output from your data mappings into HTML, RTF, PDF, and Word 2007+ using an associated StyleVision template design. This essentially combines MapForce's any-to-any data mapping capabilities with a sophisticated rendering engine, meaning that you can now automate report generation from virtually any data format that can be mapped to an XML Schema or XBRL taxonomy.
In the example below, a StyleVision design has been associated with the mapping by simply right-clicking the output file and browsing to select a suitable SPS file using the Component Settings dialog.
Once the SPS file is entered or selected, you will be able to simply click on the relevant format tab (i.e., HTML, RTF, PDF, or Word 2007+) to view rendered data.
Formatting of numbers, dates, and times
Probably one of the most requested features, this lets you easily convert numbers, dates, and times to their string representations using several different formatting functions. For example, the simple format-number function below converts a numerical input (e.g., 12345) to a monetary one in with a USD prefix, comma separating the thousands digits, and two decimal places (e.g., $12,345.00).
This post really just scrapes the surface of what the new MapForce release has to offer -download a free 30-day trial of Mapforce today to experience all of these new features and more!
On September 8, Altova released v2011 of the MissionKit with the addition of powerful reporting functionality across many of the products. Specifically, StyleVision has been supercharged with a multitude of new features, securing its place as an advanced and versatile business intelligence application, priced for today's market.
Let's take a closer look at the exciting new features in StyleVision 2011 including:
Charts as a new design element
StyleVision joins other MissionKit 2011 tools with support for charting, adding to its already advanced general purpose reporting capabilities to create a highly scalable decision support tool for XML, database, and XBRL content. As with all StyleVision designs, charts can be easily rendered for multi-channel output in HTML, RTF, PDF, Word 2007+, and electronic forms.
The following types of charts are available:
The chart configuration dialog lets you use XPath to select data for your charts. This can be as simple or as complex as you want, running the gamut from database data that is already laid out in a tabular format to XML files where the nodes you need to select are spread out over hundreds of lines of code.
Pssst… if you're thinking that this would be great for the unique demands of XBRL, read on because we created something special with that in mind ;).
Here are a couple of examples of charts that you can build in StyleVision:
Yup, you can even chart completely different sets of data on the same graph. How creative you want to get with your visual analysis reports is really up to you.
You can even create interactive charts for use with Authentic - allowing end users to manipulate eForms to view the desired result. For example, the screenshot below shows the Authentic view of a pie chart where a drop-down menu (combo box) selection dictates the subset of data that is represented.
Charts are easily integrated into your StyleVision report templates at any point by simply dragging the relevant node onto the design pane and choosing Insert Chart from the context menu. The Chart Configuration dialog can then be used for chart settings (choosing chart type and style) and data selection (populating your chart axes with the relevant data from the source).
You can even use Dynamic XPath Settings to apply transactional data to your chart. Of course, if you sometimes have trouble telling your .s from your /s, you can always get some help with more complex expressions from StyleVision's XPath Builder.
Chart wizard for XBRL files
If you are familiar with XBRL, you are intimately aware of the complexities associated with navigating XBRL taxonomies. And, if you're impressed with what you've just read about StyleVision's charting capabilities, you are probably trying to remember where you put that old XPath reference guide. Not to worry! StyleVision has added to its XBRL rendering support with an XBRL Chart Wizard that lets you easily select data and define presentation settings for your XBRL reports.
Concept and Period Properties dialogs are included to let you specify which elements should be included and how periods (instants or intervals of time) should be handled in your chart.
Explicit support for HTML/CALS tables
StyleVision now provides direct support for HTML/CALS tables, meaning that it will automatically recognize values dictating table structure (column number, row height, etc.) and apply them to rendered output. (v2011 adds support for rendering HTML/CALS tables in HTML, RTF, PDF, AND Word 2007+ - previous releases have supported output to Authentic eForms.)
You can also easily assign additional presentation styles to HTML/CALS tables using the Edit CALS/HTML dialog.
Ability to import existing XSLT files
Well, I'm sure a few of you were hoping that this one was coming soon… You can now base your StyleVision template designs on existing XSLT files that were designed for HTML output or XSLT files with XSL:FO commands that were designed for output to PDF.
Simply choose the New from XSLT File option and presto change-o, your design will be fully manifested in the design pane. Now you can edit your template using StyleVision's graphical interface and output to even more formats (HTML, RTF, PDF, Word 2007+, and Authentic eForms) with just the click of a button.
Scripting & toolbar editor for Authentic
This feature is just way too cool not to devote an entire post to it, so keep your eyes peeled for a full description coming up on this blog. In the meantime, check out the Authentic scripting page for a brief description and examples.
Better yet, just download a free 30-day trial of StyleVision today to test drive all of these new features for yourself!
