Creating Spreadsheet Schemas

Several options exist to create a Spreadsheet Schema in Clarify.

  • Use the Spreadsheet Wizard. (Recommended) This wizard helps you to create a Schema based on a sample spreadsheet, and then guides you through the process of selecting cells, creating headings (ex. first name), and specifying data types (such as String, Number, Boolean, or DateTime). The sample spreadsheet, stored as a template file, can be reused to build and maintain multiple Spreadsheet Schemas. You can also create a Spreadsheet Schema from scratch; however creating and detailing each area and cell involves more time and effort.
  • Use an existing Version 1 Spreadsheet Schema to create a new Version 2 Schema. Just select the Schema from your Project Explorer and use the right-click option.

Differences: Defining Data Types

As part of the Schema's support of the Version 2 transformation engine, Spreadsheet Schemas now allow the data type to be set for each cell in the Schema. The available types are Boolean, DateTime, Number, and String.
Note: By default, all cells are treated as String.
An important difference between the two options for creating Spreadsheet Schemas is how and when data types are defined for each cell.
  • When using the Schema Wizard, data types can be set as part of the initial creation process. If not set, then type will always default to String.
  • When using an existing Schema, type must be set from within the editor of the v2 Schema. If not, then type will always default as null (but will be treated as a String type in the Ruleset)

See Defining Properties at the Cell Level in Customizing Spreadsheet Schemas (v2) for more information.

Note: The ability to set individual data types is not supported in the version 1 Spreadsheet Schemas.