Import XML

This page can be used to upload spreadsheets to configure a G&B tournament web page. Excel 2003 XML files (.xml) and OpenOffice Flat XML (.fods) are supported. This is a relatively untested capability so problems may arise. A Tournament Definition (TD) is generated using information, including background color of cells, from the XML. The tournament webpage is configured based on the generated TD.

This capability has been developed to better support tournament directors who schedule their tournaments using a spreadsheet. It is usually fairly simple to convert a spreadsheet into a "Tournament Description" (TD), but this makes it even easier. Color coded divisions were quite a bit harder to deal with because "Copy" doesn't pick up the cell color and Division information sometimes had to be added manually. Using "Cell Styles" works better than trying to set different cells to the same color.

This example shows how to set up the spreadsheet for Import: here. You may need to do a Save Link As to force a file download.

Spreadsheet Requirements

The spreadsheet must include various keywords to help extract the information.

• "Teams:" section label in column 1, before team definitions.
• "Division=>", in column one, in every row that includes Division names.
• "Schedule:" section label before the schedule.
• A date, in column 1, including at least one "/", followed by locations in the same row.
• Times, under the Date
• Matches to be played at the time in cell 1 of the row and under the location specified in the column header. Matches must include a ' v ', ' vs ', or ' vs. ', with surrounding spaces.

The spreadsheet must be saved as an XML Spreadsheet 2003, with an .xml suffix, or a Flat XML OpenOffice document, with a .fods suffix. Size is currently limited to 120000 bytes.

Upload

This is a new capability and the details of how to use it may change, possibly before this information is updated. The basic steps should be the same.

To upload a spreadsheet take these steps:

• Click on "Import XML" from the tournament "Admin" page.
• Click on "Choose File" or "Browse". The exact text varies between browsers, but clicking will bring up a file selection dialog.
• Select the XML file for upload.
• Click on "Upload XML Spreadsheet".
• At this point a Tournament Definition (TD) is generated based on the XML file. An Import Log will show any errors as well as other information. The TD is shown in a text area and can be edited.
• Click ""Use TD". This will copy the TD and set it as the current default. "schedule.xml_import" is overwritten if it already exists.

  1984 chars. to schedule.xml_import

  The generated schedule can be loaded in the Import/Edit Schedule page.

  "schedule.xml_import" will be loaded.

• Click on Import/Edit Schedule to bring up the Import/Edit Schedule page with "schedule.xml_import" loaded. Existings TDs will be listed at the bottom of the page and can be compared against each other.
• Details of "Import/Edit" schedule will not be covered here, other than to say that clicking on "Use Current" will update the tournament web pages based on the TD, which is based on the original spreadsheet.

The "Tourn Review page can be used to double check the schedule. It shows the tournament details in two (Complete Tournament) or three (Single Division) ways. making it easy to spot any errors.

The "Export Schedule page displays the tournament in "TD" form, showing many ways of representing the same tournament.

Send questions and suggestions to Tom.