CSDM: Schema Export to Excel

[Tim Hughes3]

Hi,

I'm trying to find a way of exporting the CSDM schema out in .xls format, so that I have a spreadsheet for each table showing the fields (i.e. attributes). I'm particularly interested in the tables used for Foundation data and then those needed  for ITSM.

At present I'm doing it manually and obviously it's taking ages.

Is there an alternative method? 

TIA,

Tim

[Giles Lewis]

You can extract the schema for a single table by writing a report on sys_dictionary.

Similarly, you can extract the schema for multiple tables by using the same report and choosing multiple tables in the filter conditions.

[Maik Skoddow]

Hi Tim,

before we can answer your question "Is there an alternative method?" we need to know what exactly you have done so. Therefore please provide more details and screenshots to help us understand you better.

Kind regards 

Maik 

[Tim Hughes3]

Hi Maik,

thanks for your reply. The method I'm using is ** very ** manual.

1. In the Filter navigator I enter System Definition - Tables & Columns.

2. I select the table I'm interested in e.g. Company.

3. I click on Schema Map. And wait, as this takes a while to load.

4. I then uncheck Show referenced tables.

5. Then I uncheck Show referencing tables.

6. Eventually I get this (Attachment 1).

7. I click on "+ Columns", and get to what I want to see - the list of columns (Attachment 2).

8. I then go to my Excel spreadsheet, create a new worksheet called - in this case Company - and add the column names and types, manually, typing.

It's taking me ages. But one good thing is that at least I'm getting to learn the make-up of each table.

Is there a way I can create an export of tables I'm interested in so that they can be imported into my Excel spreadsheet?

TIA,

Tim

[Maik Skoddow]

Hi @Tim Hughes ,

thanks for the extensive explanation, and unfortunately I forgot to ask the million-dollar question: WHY do you want to export the table schemata? What is the underlying business requirement? As it seems that you spent some time doing it, I would like to know the reason.

But to answer your question: The proposed approach by using the sys_dictionary table is not helpful, as you only will retrieve the direct fields of the respective table, but not all inherited fields of all parent tables. You will need any kind of scripted which collects all fields from all parent tables and then print them accordingly. 

Or you know the parent tables, then you can set a filter accordingly:

This might work for simple hierarchies like task -> incident, but within the CMDB you will need a scripted approach.

Kind regards
Maik