What is a DXL File in Domino and How does It Work?

Developers and admins meet .dxl files when they move Notes data to other systems. DXL gives Domino data a standard XML shape.

Facts follow HCL Domino Designer documentation on using XML with Domino and exporting and importing DXL. Class names refer to the Java interface.

What is a DXL File?

HCL describes DXL as the XML representation of Domino data. It moves Domino data in and out of applications in a standard format. DXL stores the structure of the data apart from its presentation.

DXL describes Domino specific data and design elements. Embedded views, forms and documents are examples.

What is the Domino DTD?

Domino Document Type Definition defines the structure of DXL and the tags it uses. This DTD validates XML when external data enters a Domino database. It also guides your reading of XML from a database export.

How do You Export Domino Data to DXL?

1. Create a DxlExporter object with createDxlExporter in the Session class.
2. Call exportDxl with a Database, Document, DocumentCollection or NoteCollection object.
3. Store the String that the call returns.

HCL lists exporter properties like DoctypeSYSTEM, OutputDOCTYPE, ForceNoteFormat and ExitOnFirstFatalError.

How do You Import DXL Into Domino?

1. Create a DXLImporter object with createDXLImporter in the Session class.
2. Pass a String, Stream or NotesRichTextItem with the DXL.
3. Receive the Database that the importer fills.

Importing builds a list of note IDs for new notes. Use getFirstImportedNoteId and getNextImportedNoteId to walk that list.

Importer properties include DesignImportOption, DocumentImportOption, ACLImportOption and CreateFTIndex. Test imports on a copy of the database first.

Related reading: FoxPro files and the ICS file format.