37.3 Edit the Distribution XML Definition

The Oracle Reports distribution XML file enables you to specify the details of your distribution. For example, if you are distributing through e-mail, you can specify such details as the addressee, the reply to address, and the subject.

In this section, you will learn how to modify a distribution XML file. We have indicated locations where you need to enter your own information to make the distribution work.

When you want to distribute a report, you need to either:

  • Make sure your source report (for example, inventory_report_dist.rdf) and your distribution XML file (for example, distribution.xml) are in the same directory.

    OR

  • When you run the report from the Reports Server, set the destination to the path of the XML file. (This is explained in Section 37.4, "Run the Report".)

Note:

For more information on distribution, see the chapter "Creating Advanced Distributions" in the Oracle Fusion Middleware Publishing Reports to the Web with Oracle Reports Services manual.

To edit the distribution XML file:

  1. In a text editor, such as Notepad, open the sample distribution.xml file we have provided.

  2. Find the placeholder text: <YourFilePath>, and replace it with the location of where your resulting PDFs will be stored.

    Example: Replacing the placeholder text with:

    d:\temp\

    changes the path to:

    d:\temp\Rep_%amp;&lt;city&gt;.pdf

    Using this complete path places the resulting PDF files in d:\temp.

  3. Find the placeholder text: <OriginEmailAddress>, and replace it with the sender's e-mail address.

  4. Perform step 3 for all instances of the placeholder text: <OriginEmailAddress>.

  5. Find the placeholder text: <DestinationEmailAddress>, and replace it with the recipient's e-mail address.

  6. Perform step 5 for all instances of the placeholder text: <DestinationEmailAddress>.

    Note:

    For this example, we show you how to send e-mails to static e-mail addresses. However, if you want to send the report to various e-mail destinations, you must create a recipient field in your data model. Then, in the ex2 section of distribution.xml, replace the placeholder text <DestinationEmailAddress> with &amp;&lt;recipient&gt;. You can then delete the first section of the distribution.xml file (marked ex1).

  7. Save the XML file to the same directory where you have saved inventoryreport_dist_your_initials.rdf.

    Note:

    It is not required that you save the XML file to the same directory where your RDF is located, as you can specify the location of the XML file at runtime. Either distribution.xml and RDF must be in Reports Path, or provide the complete path in the command line URL.

    You have finished customizing the distribution XML file to send a single e-mail to corporate headquarters with all of the individual warehouse reports, and multiple e-mails with a single attachment each to the individual warehouses.