Create links to existing artifacts from uploading of new artifacts
Hello all,
I'm trying to understand import (excel/CSV) functions, where I have new requirements that should be uploaded to a module. I would like to know if DNG has a function to directly link these new artifacts to existing artifacts when performing upload.
E.g: The uploading requirements are called System Requirements, I want to link them to Contractual Requirements when performing upload itself. Perhaps by adding a column in excel/CSV?
Is it possible in DNG? I tried looking into documentation for imports and exporting of files, couldn't find anything related.
Thanks.
2 answers
The answer is yes but it depends...
If you add a column with the correct name of the link end and you format the content in the right way with the right information, you can create a link directly on import, but there are a lot of restrictions to how this link gets created:
- you must have the name of the column exactly right, and there must be no ambiguity on what the link type is
- links consist of two ends, and you have limited control over where the ends get created. If you want to link artefact to artefact at the global (folder) context then no problem, but the moment you want the link inside a module context, you're in trouble
- the best way to see how to name the column and to format the cell entry is to export an existing link. The minimum information you require to create a link on import is the {LINK ID=<number>}. You don't need the URI, but that's the way you get the correct module context for the end of the link, and typically you won't have that info when you import
By far the simplest way to create links during import is to set up a column to contain the IDs of the artefacts you wish to link to, and then use the Link By Attribute capability after you've imported the data. This gives you complete control over the link types and contexts and is a fast, simple and reliable second step.