This element specifies the Universal Data Link (UDL) connection string used to reconnect to an external data source. The string within this element's val attribute shall contain the connection string that the hosting application shall pass to a external data source access application to enable the WordprocessingML document to be reconnected to the specified external data source.

If this string is omitted, then no UDL connection string shall be associated with the ODSO data for this mail merge.

This connection string is only used under the following conditions:

• The dataType element (§2.14.10) is set to native

• The current application is able to use the information contained in the odso element (§2.14.25) to access the data source

[Guidance: In this case, using the connection string in the udl element will provide an equal or greater amount of information for the mail merge data source for clients which can consume it. end guidance]

[Example: Consider a merged WordprocessingML document that has been connected to an external data source for the purposes of a mail merge. The following WordprocessingML fragment represents the legacy connection string used to connect to the external data source when the merged WordprocessingML document is reopened:

<w:udl w:val="Provider=Example;Password=Test;User ID=readonly;…" />

The udl element specifies that the string Provider=Example;Password=Test;User ID=readonly;… shall be used to enable the given WordprocessingML document to be reconnected to the specified external data source. end example]

Parent Elements

odso (§2.14.25)

Attributes

Description

val (String Value)

Specifies that its contents will contain a string.

The contents of this string are interpreted based on the context of the parent XML element.

[Example: Consider the following WordprocessingML fragment:

<w:pPr>

<w:pStyle w:val="heading1" />

</w:pPr>

The value of the val attribute is the ID of the associated paragraph style's styleId.

However, consider the following fragment:

<w:sdtPr>

<w:alias w:val="SDT Title Example" />

...

</w:sdtPr>

In this case, the decimal number in the val attribute is the caption of the parent structured document tag. In each case, the value is interpreted in the context of the parent element. end example]

The possible values for this attribute are defined by the ST_String simple type (§2.18.89).

The following XML Schema fragment defines the contents of this element:

</complexType>