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Creating and Using a Record Layout File

Attention: This topic applies to a feature that is in Early Adopter Product (EAP) release status. We intend to provide the finalized feature in a future release. Please contact Micro Focus SupportLine if you require further clarification.

The record layout allows you to edit the records in a data file using the right pane of the Data File Tools window. To create a record layout file:

  1. Right-click on the PL/I program file containing the record data and select Compile to compile it.
  2. Right-click on the PL/I program file containing the record data and select Create Record Layout File to open it in the Layout window. The Data File Tools Layout editor appears with the selected file loaded. The file's data structures display in the left pane, with data from the declarations displaying as separate nodes under the Declarations folder.
    Note: If the character sets used in the Data File Tools editor and the file being opened differ, a message box appears asking if you want to use the character set specified for the file or the character set used in the editor.
  3. To see the record layouts for a given node in the Declarations folder, click and drag the node from the left pane to the right pane. The New Record Layout dialog box appears.
  4. Choose Next, then Finish.
  5. Save the file with the same name as the data (.dat) file, but with a .str extension. So if, for example, the data file is mydata.dat, you must name this file mydata.str in order for the Data File Editor to be able to display the record layout properly.

Loading the record layout in the Data File Editor

Once the .str file is created for a data file, you can view and edit the records in the right pane of the Data File Editor.

  1. In the Solution Explorer, double-click the data file to open it in the Data File Editor.
    Note: The Data File Editor shows the file in the raw display if the .str and .dat names are not the same.
  2. Choose File > Data File Editor > Load record layout.
  3. Select the .str file that was created from the .dat file.

    The file loads in the Data File Editor with the records properly formatted in the right pane.

  4. Edit records as needed. Changes are saved as soon as they are made in the Data File Editor.

For complete information on using these Data File Tools, see Record Layout Editor and Data File Editor.

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