1. Introduction

This manual describes how to work with the Visual XSL application.

1.1. Overview

VisualXSL is a GUI-based designer for writing eXtensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) stylesheets for use with RenderX IREn or XEPWin, and VDPMill. The product supports creating static overlay forms and flowing documents with variable page layouts based on position such as first, any, last and only. In fact, static and flowing documents can be mixed together into a complete XSL stylesheet project.

VisualXSL allows you to import a PDF or image as a background source or even start with a blank canvas. When using a background you can choose to render the form as part of the output (overlay) or render without the background for imaging on pre-printed stock. Simply associate a sample XML file with the project and then drag and drop XML data to design the document directly within the VisualXSL layout designer. Common properties like colors, fonts, borders and margins can easily be set with simple-to-use property sheets.

VisualXSL has wizards for many different types of document objects. Text fields, paragraphs with mixed static and dynamic content, tables, barcodes, checkboxes and variable images can all be created in the document layout from the XML source. Custom instructions, conditional rendering, date and number formats, and string conversions are all easy to add. VisualXSL is capable creating fillable pdf forms, including support of JavaScript.

The VisualXSL GUI supports the use of docking windows. You can dock and undock to create an optimal work configuration, with design in one window and preview in another. The design area supports pixel perfect placement to 1/100th of a point.

VisualXSL's architecture and functionality provides for a significant boost in speed of document production when compared to the traditional XSL-FO documents created with traditionally made XSL stylesheets.

Other features include:

Easy-To-Use Layout Designer

You design a document visually using VisualXSL. The application enables to put data fields onto the document layout. You can drag and drop data directly onto the layout designer.

The layout designer (also called the layout or the designer area) has a simple view, and is quickly and easily learned.
High-Speed Document Generation

VisualXSL generates a specific stylesheet for designed document rendering. With this stylesheet, the IREn formatter provides high speed document generation for PDF (or PostScript).
Single- and Multi-Page Forms Support

VisualXSL supports Single- and Multi-Page document creation.

If you set a multi-page PDF as a background, the application extracts every page of the background to the corresponding page of the resulting PDF. New pages are automatically added if needed.
Static and Dynamic flows

VisualXSL supports a mixture of static and dynamic templates.
Text Frames, Pictures, Barcodes, Paragraphs, Tables, Address blocks, Page numbers, Buttons, Check Boxes, List Boxes, and Combo Boxes.

The following types of data fields can be placed into a form:
- Text Frames are rendered as text from the XML source file.
- Check boxes are rendered as check marks (text symbol); their appearance (in the final document) depends on the XPath expression result.
- Pictures are rendered according to the size set on the layout.
- Barcodes are rendered using RenderX stylesheets and the data from the XML source file. The barcodes can be one of the following types:
  - EAN8
  - EAN13
  - UPC-A
  - UPC-E
  - Interleaved 2 of 5
  - Code 39
  - Codabar
  - Code 128
  - Australia Post 4-State
- Paragraph blocks can be inserted and edited. They can be formed via XPath expressions, as well as from static text. You can also use different formatting for block text parts.
- Tables can be inserted and edited. They can be formed via XPath expressions, as well as from static text (for certain cells). You can also use different formatting for different cells.
- Address Blocks Wizard for adding address labels.The resulting label is aligned vertically to the bottom of the label and consists of four or five address lines. There are three areas in the wizard dialog.
- Page Numbers are Paragraphs, which contain special texts, to show current page number in the document.
- Buttons can be two types: Submit and Reset. The button's type is set via Button Type property. By default it is set Submit. All buttons have some common properties.
- List Boxes and Combo Boxes are tools, which allows the user to select one or more values from the given list.
  - Multiselect - indicates, if multiple values can be selected
  - Values - list of selectable values, delimited by the given Separator. By default its value is the inner text of the XML node.
  - Separator- a symbol, indicating the separator for Values field by default its value is |. Also, ComboBox has one more property:
  - Editable - indicates if a value can be typed, or the value can only be selected from the given list
Note: Additional formatting can be applied to fields containing data values (in ODBC or ISO8601 format).
Conditional Rendering

Every data field has properties which can be set to determine its rendering under certain conditions.
XPath Validation

Almost all XPath expressions are created automatically when you drag and drop XML tree nodes onto the layout designer. You can also manually create or edit XPath expressions. The application validates all XPath expressions and offers to modify incorrect expressions.
Docking Windows

Docking-window interface is supported. You can dock and undock tool windows to create an optimal work configuration. For example, on a dual-monitor system, some tool windows can be undocked and placed on the second monitor.
Print XML Data on a Preprinted Form

Printing XML data over paper (preprinted) forms is supported. For more information, see section 6.4 How to Fill in Preprinted Forms with Data.
Generation of Fillable PDF Forms

The application can generate fillable PDF forms. For more information see section 5.15 PDF Forms.
EXSLT Support

The application is capable using EXSLT features provided with Mvp.Xml EXSLT.NET module (http://mvp-xml.sourceforge.net/exslt/). This module is not included in VisualXSL distribution and has to be installed separately.