TDM Portal generator, efficient data entry for XSD

Products

• CA Test Data Manager (Data Finder / Grid Tools)

Issue/Introduction

When configuring the generator for an XML file based on an XSD model file, there may be several duplicate entries. 
How to enter values for these duplicate entries efficiently.

Environment

TDM 4.9.1+

Resolution

The two main ways that could help speed up the entry process:

1. Create variables for most column values.
   Use variables so Seedlist functions only need to be defined once. Another benefit of using variables is that they can be reused for other generation projects.
   
   The default value can be based on a function that uses a seedlist of values.
   An example of the default value for the City column can be: @seqlov(0,@seedlist(US City)@)@
   
   
   
   
2. Use the 'First Row Display'
   After creating these variables, select all tables and click on the 'First Row Display' icon. This will show all columns and their definition that need to be entered.
   By selecting columns that require the same definition, it is very quick to enter identical definitions based on variables.
   
   
   
   Select all columns with the same or similar name that need to have the same definition.
   For example select all columns with the name city.
   It is now a simple cut and paste to set all these to the same variable name.