Generate Docentric Data Source Package (DDSP) from Document Setup

To design a document template with Template designer, you first need to generate a Docentric Data Source Package (DDSP) file. A DDSP file contains all the information that is needed to design and test a Document template in Docentric Template designer.

When you generate a DDSP file from a Document setup in the Docentric CE app, you select a sample data record to include in the package. This allows template designers to preview and test templates with realistic data during the design process.

A DDSP file contains:

The complete data source schema as defined by the Data Model. This way, Template designer knows what data (records and fields) is available for use in the template.
Sample data that allows you to test the template by previewing it from within Template designer.
Label translations for all the selected preview languages. This information allows for multilingual document previewing.

Prerequisites

You have one of the following Docentric CE security roles assigned:
- Docentric CE Maker or
- Docentric CE Administrator
You have created a Document setup with a valid Data model within.

Open Generate Data Source Package dialog

To start generating a DDSP file, follow these steps:

In the navigation pane, select Docentric CE area.
In the site map, select Document setups.
Open or select the Document setup record for which you want to generate a DDSP file.
On the ribbon, choose Generate data source. The Generate data source package dialog opens.

"Shows generate datasource action in Document setup view."

Generate Data Source

After opening the Generate Data Source Package dialog, configure the settings and generate the file:

Review that the Document setup field displays the currently selected Document setup.
In the sample data record field (for example, Quote record), select the record to use for sample data in the DDSP file.
In the Language field, select one or more languages to include additional sample data and label translations for multilingual template preview. You can clear all choices but one if you don't need additional languages.
In the DDSP filename field, enter the name for the generated DDSP file. The file extension .ddsp is added automatically.
Choose Generate to create and download the DDSP file.

"Shows generate datasource dialog with generate action selected."

The DDSP file is downloaded to your default downloads folder and can be used by the Template Designer.

Troubleshooting

Generate data source action is not visible in the ribbon

If you don't see the Generate data source action, try the following:

Check More Commands – Choose the More Commands (⋮) icon in the ribbon to see if the action is available there.
Verify you have a Document setup open – The action only appears on the Document setup form ribbon when you open a Document setup record.

Next steps

Welcome to Docentric CE Template designer for Word - Learn how to design templates using the generated DDSP file.