Excel template rule tables

Rule tables enable you to filter the data. There are four key options in a rule table for additional filtering:

• Level
• Relation
• Type
• TransferMode

Note: A rule table can have different keys set separately or together depending on what information you want to export. Property tags ({%RealPropertyName}) should not be added to the rule table. A rule table is not exported with data.

Processing of rules in a rule table

Rules are processed from top to bottom, beginning with the topmost rule in the table.

• If an object matches all criteria in the current rule, the data is extracted to the spreadsheet; rule processing ends for that object and begins for the next object (again starting from the top).
• If the current rule is completely blank, all criteria are matched by default. Place rules containing more key field criteria above rules with fewer key field criteria.
• If an object does not match any rule in the template, no data is extracted for it, and a warning message is displayed stating that unmatched objects have been ignored.

Rule Table – Level Key

The Level key specifies the hierarchical level of the objects you want to export, filtering so only the selected level(s) are displayed. Applies only when exporting from structure editors such as Structure Manager, Multi-Structure Manager, and Systems Engineering (Requirements Manager).

• Syntax: {%L-Level} — Example: {%L-2}
• Each level must be reflected in its own rule; levels do not have to be contiguous.

Rule Table – Relation Key

The Relation key filters data based on the relation between two objects. In the property table (between <Start> and <End> tags) you must specify the relation property using the tag form {%R-Relation Property} (e.g. {%R-name}). All GRM relations are supported.

• Syntax: {%R-Relation-Name} — Example: {%R-TC_Attaches}
• The relation returned is based on the primary object in the selection; only the relation on the primary object is returned. Relation properties are not displayed in results unless you add relation property references in the property table ({%R-RelationProperty}).
• Can be combined with other filtering options, e.g. filtering by Level and Relation together to return trace links only on Level 1 objects.

Rule Table – Type Key

The Type key specifies the business object subtype to filter in the exported Excel template — e.g. {%S-Item} restricts export to the item subtype only.

• Syntax: {%S-Type-Name} — Example: {%S-Item}
• Each desired subtype needs its own rule; can be combined with other filtering rules (e.g. filtering all Level 2 requirements only).

Rule Table – TransferMode Key

The TransferMode key specifies the transfer mode applied during export to Excel, to get additional properties or limit them via PLM XML transfer modes (e.g. exporting an item revision with properties from the item revision master form).

• Syntax: {%T-TransferMode} — Example: {%T-Req_default_TM}
• If the object being exported has an associated transfer mode matching the one specified in the template, the secondary objects indicated in the transfer mode are processed through the rule table, and objects matching the rules are exported.
• To filter using a transfer mode: create or reuse a transfer mode, and designate it in the rule table (the transfer mode key needs to include the subtype it will be used with in conjunction with data collection). The transfer mode should be designed to work from the selected perspective (e.g. a BOMLine view in Structure Manager, or an Object View in the Details Panel) — potentially both.