Open an IFD File to Create a VDA Map

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About this task

Sterling B2B Integrator Map Editor enables you to open, or import, an IFD file in two ways—when you create a new map, and when you open an IFD file into one side of an existing map. Either way, using an IFD file provides you with a quick way to create either side of a map.

When you create a new map, the New Map wizard enables you to select an IFD file to use as the basis for the input or output side of the map.

When you open an IFD file, Sterling B2B Integrator assigns acceptable defaults if attributes are not included. For example, if a value is not specified for Minimum Length, a value of zero is assigned.

To open an IFD file into an existing map:

Note: Opening an IFD file into an existing map replaces the selected side of the map. After you open an IFD file into a map, you cannot undo the operation.

Procedure

  1. In the Sterling B2B Integrator Map Editor, right-click the data format icon on the side of the map where you want to open the IFD file and select Open File Definition from the shortcut menu.

    If you are creating a map for outbound VDA messages, you typically open the IFD file on the Output side of the map; for inbound VDA messages, you typically open the IFD file on the Input side of the map.

    If you already used Sterling B2B Integrator Map Editor to create that side of the map, you are prompted with a message that warns you that the existing file format will be replaced. Click Yes to continue.

  2. Browse to locate the IFD file for the VDA message type you are using. Be sure you select the IFD corresponding to the appropriate direction for the message type (that is, inbound or outbound).

    The IFD files are installed in the Map Editor - Standards Folder/Map Editor/Samples/IFDs folder.

  3. Click Open to open the selected IFD file into the map.
  4. In the Sterling B2B Integrator Map Editor, select File > Save to save the map. Do not use spaces or apostrophes in the map name. The map is automatically saved as a .mxl file; to save a map as a .map file, select File > Save As and then select Source Maps (*.map) from the Save as type list.
  5. Create the other side of the map, create links, standard rules, and extended rules to map data between the two sides of the map, and complete and compile the map.