Editing template version in text editor...safe to do?

[jon]

I have a library with a ton of forms created off several content types in
MOSS. The problem is that in the past, changes to the template were done
with new content types (instead of modifying the main content type and saving
with the same name).

All changes in each version will not impact earlier versions (most are
adding fields or formulas).

Now that I see error of my ways, I want to fix these. So, I have a library
setup with the new "correct" content type. My old library has links to 4
(earlier) versions of the template.

I want to download all the forms, batch edit them, then upload them into the
new library. Specifically, I'll be batch editing the header info that
references the template and URL. I've tested this with a sample from each
earlier version, and it works fine, opens in the browser, etc.

I'm just curious if I'm going to cause any problems by doing this, or if
there's anything more to this I should be cautious of.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Greg Collins]

Since you are uploading back to a new library, you should not have any
issues (all the old files are still intact). If all you are changing is the
PIs then you should be about as safe as you can be.

Since you have 4 different versions of the forms, its possible that the
later versions changed the schema (added/removed nodes). During your process
you can do this kind of cleanup as well (if advisable).

 

[Gavin McKay]

Adding to Greg's notes, the only issues you might come across is if there are
required elements in your existing forms that break schema according to the
template you are modifying them for. When you open the forms it will
validate the schema against the new form template. As long as they pass
validation, it's all good

InfoPath will tell you there is "something wrong" if the schema doesn't
match, but won't necessarily tell you which elements are wrong. Only way
I've been able to track down those sorts of errors is by creating a custom
validator that checks my form data and finds out where exactly the issue is.
Not sure if there is an easier way, but I sure hope there is

Gavin.

 

[jon]

Excellent. Thanks for the assistance guys.

Gavin, this question stemmed from my earlier post which I thank you for
taking the time to review!

 

[Gavin McKay]

np jon - thanks for the update

Gavin.