Using XML/XSLT

OmniUpdate offers XML/XSL functionality that will enable you to take advantage of these technologies to move your website into the future. These technologies are ideal for separating the content of you website from its architecture, and to combine and repurpose content and data. If you have designed your site to take advantage of CSS, then XML/XSL may be the next step for you. And if you want to repurpose content, either produced by you or which comes from some other source, this is certainly the way to go.

Using XML/XSL, combinations of files can be used in a Lego-like manner to produce various outputs such as HTML for web pages, print-friendly HTML, CSV for spreadsheets, PDF's, etc. In addition you can take advantage of XML/XSL technologies to present ever-changing content to keep your website automatically updated with the very latest. However, an XML/XSL approach does require understanding of the technologies and learning how to use them. While you are getting up to speed, you can continue working with OmniUpdate as you do currently. No content or work you did in the past or are now doing need be affected.

Multiple Output

 

The use of XML/XSL technology takes place at the file level when you supply files in new types of formats. The keystone of OmniUpdate's XML/XSL implementation is via the use of a Publish Control File, PCF. OmniUpdate supports XSLT 1.0. There is also support for EXSLT.

Mixed Files

.PCF files act like any other WYSIWYG editable file in OmniUpdate, but is actually an XML file that's processed by OmniUpdate's built-in XSLT transformation engine when published.  It's important to note that the use of PCF files is not an all-or-nothing decision.  It's common to use HTML files and PCF files together in the same account.  PCF files will be processed by XSLT, while HTML files will be published without processing.  This provides for a smooth migration to XML/XSL, and eliminates the need to migrate legacy HTML content if desired.  Best of all, your users will not know the difference, since WYSIWYG editing is the same for both file types.

For more information click the links below:

Publish Control Files

Stylesheets

Debugging

XSL Reference

Additional Resources