Repair DXL File – Manual Workarounds to Fix Domino File Errors
With the release of Domino Server, IBM introduced Domino specific XML file known as DXL (Domino Extensible Language). This article will highlight DXL file format, its uses, common issues and method to repair DXL file.
What is Domino DXL File?
DXL, short for Domino Extensible Language, is an XML language used by IBM Lotus/Domino software. Domino is a server application for IBM Notes client. The DXL file format is an XML representation of Domino data and design elements such as views, forms, and documents. DXL file uses a Lotus/Domino specific DTD which is stored in xml schemas directory of the Notes email client.
Most Common Errors and Resolutions to Repair DXL File
As discussed above, DXL file is mainly used to transform data or design elements. For this, the file is first exported from Domino then changes are made to the DXL file and lastly it get imported back to Domino application. Many a time, users encounters many errors while importing DXL file.
- Error 1: "You are not authorized… " while importing a DXL file
Resolution : Check ACL settings: If "Maximum internet name and password" set it to "Manager" or "Designer"
- Error 2: Lotus Notes backup/archive process crashes Domino Server 8.5
Cause : Crash problem may encounter when DXL attempts to export a file that has three items with the same name or the chances are one of them is empty. In order to repair DXL file you need to upgrade the server version.
Resolution: Apply IBM hotfix or upgrade to Domino 9.
- Error 3: DXL importer operation failed
Workarounds to Repair DXL File Error
In order to resolve Domino XML file error and restore data , one can look over the following method:
- We can rename the file extension from .dxl to .xml since it can easily be understood by external applications. DXL is more Domino specific.
- When it comes to import a DXL file in Domino, the following points need to be noted :
- Valid structure : The file should follow the structure rules of XML file. Each and every opening tag has its closing tag.
- Valid Syntax : It means DXL file extension must have specific syntax which is described by DTD file (Lotus Domino document type definition). DTD stores definitions of XML tags.
To repair DXL file, one can scrutinize DXL file by using an open-source external tool such as XML Copy Editor. It is best-suited utility to examine a tremendous amount of data in DXL file.
In the above image, you can view DXL file format and DTD is mentioned in top line of the file. To validate XML file that have been generated, copy the directory xml schemas (which contains all DTD from current and earlier Notes version) in notes directory to debug directory.
Repair DXL file by checking Well-formedness
An XML document having correct syntax is known as Well formed. It must have a root element, closing tag, case sensitive tags, and attribute values should be quoted. Check Well-formedness, do the following :
XML Copy Editor > XML > Check Well-formedness
If any error occurs, it will display in the bottom line as: Error at line 3500, column 60: mismatched tag
Repair DXL file by Validating the Domino DTD
DTD, Domino Document Type Definition, describes the structure of DXL file extension. The file is made up of several entities and elements such as:
- Core elements – functions as data type categories
- Common entities – referenced in other entities or elements
- Domino elements – all the elements starting with ACL are listed alphabetically
One of the main issue in DXL file is invalid DTD which in turn creates trouble while importing the file to Domino. So, repair DXL file by validating DTD via the external tool and recover the data.
XML Copy Editor > XML > Validate > DTD
If any error occurs, it will display in the bottom of the screen as: Error at line 5, column 75: Element created content does not follow the DTD, expecting (datetime), got (datetimes).