InfoPath Dev

Hi,

Is it possible to have a compressed XML or database file, which Infopath could use as a data connection.

I know that if you add an XML file as part of the XSN file, it would automatically become compressed. However, if I want to use an XML file for multiple forms, then I'd have to place the XML file outside of the XSN.

XML files and Access Database files tend to compress rather well, and I was wondering if there was a compressed format that InfoPath could read, as its data connection.

- Reg

Hi Reg,
Interesting question. You could use decompress a file with code. I know of no default way to import a compressed file into InfoPath and have InfoPath decompress it. However, the XSN contains an XSF manifest which is just XML. You could write some code to programmatically add the XML file to your XSF and then recab (re-compress the package) and deploy your solution like that. It's tricky but it has been done. Doing it dynamically would be even more masochistic, but is it's just code ... :)

Patrick Halstead [InfoPath MVP]
InfoPathDev

Hi Patrick,

Does your solution rely on inserting the XML file into the XSN?
If it does, then it probably won't be the best solution for my situation, as I'd have to run a script of some sort to insert the XML document into the XSN.
This probably would cause more problems than it solves.

However, as always thanks for the reply.

- Reg

Hi Reg,
Well, you can extract the form files and then insert without running the script, but you are right in that it's tricky. This is definitely doable, but requires some work. If you are not willing to struggle with it over 1 week, then I'd say "nada".
:)

Patrick Halstead [InfoPath MVP]
InfoPathDev