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url: >-
  /statelake/administering-statelake/designer/data-definitions/file-definitions/xml-file-definitions/design-xml-file-definitions.md
---

# Design - XML File Definitions

Clicking **Design**, opens the **XML Definition** designer canvas. This area creates, maintains, and displays **dataviews** belonging to your **XML Definition** - regardless of whether they apply to **Source** or **Destination** files.

These dataviews tell **Statelake** what files and records are to be used, and how they are to be used.

::: info
Always create a *highest level* **XML** dataview for the entry point within the **Schema** file. And in that dataview, include all relevant elements at that level in the structural shape of the schema.
:::

Create a new dataview for each set of elements that *repeat* under a higher level - such as where order lines repeat under the same order header or number.

The first time this is opened for your **File Definition**, this designer canvas will be blank.

On the designer canvas there is a different dataview for each file type as selected - an **XML File** generates an XML Dataview.

## Existing File Definition Dataview

If one or more **XML Dataview** already exists, then these will display here on the designer canvas, as illustrated below.

*A single existing Dataview*

*Multiple existing linked Dataviews*

Where a dataview exists and displays on the design canvas, the various tabs are accessible via the buttons on the dataview.

### Dataview Tabs

| Tab Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Preview | Click to see a preview of the data extracted by the query. |
| Records | Click to open the **Records** tab. |
| Fields | Click to open the **Fields** tab. |
| Calcs | Click to open the **Calcs** tab. |
| Link | Click to open the **Link** settings window. This will only be available to select where the dataview has a link to another dataview, or where there multiple dataviews but there are no links. |

## New File Definition Dataview

To create the initial dataview on an empty canvas for a new **XML Definition**, or to add another dataview, select **File** and **New** (or Ctrl-N) to create a new dataview to configure.

While the following examples illustrate a **XML Dataview**, all dataviews are created in the same manner.

Make sure to select the appropriate dataview - in this case it is an **XML Dataview**. Click on **OK** to continue.

## Buttons

| Button Name | Description |
|---|---|
| OK | Click to save any changes you have made. All changes will be lost if you do not click the **OK** button. |
| Cancel | Click to **Cancel** any changes you have made. |