Rich Text Format (RTF) is a specification used by common word processing applications, such as Microsoft Word. When you save a document, RTF is a file type option that you select.

XML Publisher's RTF Template Parser converts documents saved as the RTF file type to XSL-FO. You can therefore create report designs using many of your standard word processing application's design features and XML Publisher will recognize and maintain the design.

During design time, you add data fields and other markup to your template using XML Publisher's simplified tags for XSL expressions. These tags associate the XML report data to your report layout. If you are familiar with XSL and prefer not to use the simplified tags, XML Publisher also supports the use of pure XSL elements in the template.

In addition to your word processing application's formatting features, XML Publisher supports other advanced reporting features such as conditional formatting, dynamic data columns, running totals, and charts.

If you wish to include code directly in your template, you can include any XSL element, many FO elements, and a set of SQL expressions extended by XML Publisher.

XML Publisher supports two methods for creating RTF templates:

• Basic RTF Method

  Use any word processing application that supports RTF version 1.6 writer (or later) to design a template using XML Publisher's simplified syntax.

• Form Field Method

  Using Microsoft Word's form field feature allows you to place the syntax in hidden form fields, rather than directly into the design of your template. XML Publisher supports Microsoft Word 2000 (or later) with Microsoft Windows version 2000 (or later).

  Note: If you use XSL or XSL:FO code rather than the simplified syntax, you must use the form field method.

This guide describes how to create RTF templates using both methods.

Before you design your template, you must:

• Know the business rules that apply to the data from your source report.

• Generate a sample of your source report in XML.

• Be familiar with the formatting features of your word processing application.