Exporting and Importing a Library Taxonomy

You can export a taxonomy for a library from one system (typically a development system) and then import it into another system (usually the production system).

The exported file is saved in XML format. You must save the file to a media that can easily be accessed from both the exporting and importing systems.

The imported taxonomy includes the class hierarchy, but not any end items. In addition, no Reference Documents, Discussions, History, Routes, or any other related information is exported/imported.

Export of libraries and attribute groups are not available on touch devices.

Note: When exporting/importing libraries, the names of libraries and classes can only include certain special characters (in addition to alphanumeric characters):
  • Allowed: `~!^&()-_={}:'.
  • Not allowed: +;/

You need to rename any libraries or classes that include any of the "not allowed" characters in their names.

Required access roles:

  • Baseline: Leader
  • App-specific: Librarian

  1. On the system that contains the library you want to export, follow these steps:
    1. View the list of libraries. See Libraries List.
    2. Select the required library. You can only export one library at a time.
    3. From the page toolbar, click Actions > Export or Actions > Export as a Background Process.

    If you choose Export, IP Classification exports the file and opens the File Download dialog used by your operating system. You can open or save the XML file. You need to wait until the export completes before you continue working.

    If you choose Export as a Background Process, a message displays with the name of the background job and you can continue working. See Background Jobs List for details. You can also use > Utilities> Background Jobs to view background jobs.

    Note: You can also export a library from the library's properties page.

  2. On the system where you want to import the library, follow these steps:
    1. View the list of libraries. See Libraries List.
    2. From the page toolbar, click Actions > Importor Actions > Import as a Background Process.
      Note: You only select a file in this dialog box. IP Classification fills in the rest of the fields for you. The Message box shows the results of the import or validate functions.
    3. Click Browse and use the file system chooser to locate the XML file containing the exported library.
      On premises only: IP Classification fills in the Owner, Vault, and Approver fields from entries in emxLibraryCentral.properties. If the properties are not set, or the values for those properties do not exist within the database, then IP Classification uses values from the exported XML file to populate these fields.
    4. To validate the XML file prior to actually importing it, click Validate.

      The Message box shows either The file does not have any errors, You can import the file. or an error message. If any errors occur, fix them and try importing again. Possible errors that could occur:

      • Library with the same name exists in the database.
      • XML file could be invalid. This could occur if the exported file was edited.

    5. When ready, click Import.
      If importing as a background process, a message displays showing the job number. You can check the progress of the import on the Background Jobs Page.
      Tip: You can export libraries to 3D XML files in the 3D XML with authoring format. The Export library with content option lets you export the entire library structure as well as classified items. You can also import libraries as 3D XML files, in the Import as reference format. For more information, see Exchange Management User's Guide: Export of Libraries, Classes, and Classified Items to 3D XML.