Mapping Templates

Mapping Templates Overview :

                                                                 

A mapping template is a drawing in Visio that represents a PowerCenter mapping. You can configure rules and parameters in a mapping template to specify the transformation logic.

Use the Informatica Stencil and the Informatica toolbar in the Mapping Architect for Visio to create a mapping template. The Informatica Stencil contains shapes that represent mapping objects that you can use to create a mapping template. The Informatica toolbar contains buttons for the tasks you can perform on mapping template.

You can create a mapping template manually, or you can create a mapping template by importing a Power Center mapping.

Creating a Mapping Template Manually:

You can use the Informatica Stencil and the Informatica toolbar to create a mapping template. Save and publish a mapping template to create the mapping template files.

To create a mapping template manually, complete the following steps:

1. Start Mapping Architect for Visio.

2. Verify that the Informatica Stencil and Informatica toolbar are available.

3. Drag the mapping objects from the Informatica Stencil to the drawing window:- Use the mapping objects to create visual representation of the mapping.

4. Create links:- Create links to connect mapping objects.

5. Configure link rules:- Configure rules for each link in the mapping template to indicate how data moves from one mapping object to another. Use parameters to make the rules flexible.

6. Configure the mapping objects:- Add a group or expression required by the transformations in the mapping template. To create multiple mappings, set a parameter for the source or target definition.

7. Declare mapping parameters and variables to use when you run sessions in Power Center:- After you import the mappings created from the mapping template into Power Center, you can use the mapping parameters and variables in the session or workflow.

8. Validate the mapping template.

9. Save the mapping template:- Save changes to the mapping template drawing file.

10. Publish the mapping template:- When you publish the mapping template, Mapping Architect for Visio generates a mapping template XML file and a mapping template parameter file (param.xml).If you edit the mapping template drawing file after you publish it, you need to publish again. Do not edit the mapping template XML file.

Importing a Mapping Template from a Power Center:

If you have a Power Center mapping that you want to use as a basis for a mapping template, export the mapping to a mapping XML file and then use the mapping XML file to create a mapping template.

Note: Export the mapping XML file within the current Power Center release. Informatica does not support imported objects from a different release.

To import a mapping template from a Power Center mapping, complete the following steps:

1. Export a Power Center mapping. In the Designer, select the mapping that you want to base the mapping template on and export it to an XML file.

2. Start Mapping Architect for Visio.

3. Verify that the Informatica stencil and Informatica toolbar are available.

4. Import the mapping. On the Informatica toolbar, click the Create Template from Mapping XML button. Mapping Architect for Visio determines the mapping objects and links included in the mapping and adds the appropriate objects to the drawing window.

5. Verify links. Create or verify links that connect mapping objects.

6. Configure link rules. Configure rules for each link in the mapping template to indicate how data moves from one mapping object to another. Use parameters to make the rules flexible.

7. Configure the mapping objects. Add a group or expression required by the transformations in the mapping template. To create multiple mappings, set a parameter for the source or target definition.

8. Declare mapping parameters and variables to use when you run the session in Power Center. After you import the mappings created from the mapping template into Power Center, you can use the mapping parameters and variables in the session or workflow.

Note: If the Power Center mapping contains mapping parameters and variables, it is possible that the mapping parameters and variables ($$ParameterName) may not work for all mappings you plan to create from the mapping template. Modify or declare new mapping parameters and variables appropriate for running the new mappings created from the mapping template.

9. Validate the mapping template.

10. Save the mapping template. Save changes to the mapping template drawing file.

11. Publish the mapping template. When you publish the mapping template, Mapping Architect for Visio generates a mapping template XML file and a mapping template parameter file (param.xml).

If you make any change to the mapping template after publishing, you need to publish the mapping template again. Do not edit the mapping template XML file.

Note: Mapping Architect for Visio fails to create a mapping template if you import a mapping that includes an unsupported source type, target type, or mapping object.