---
title: "How Do I Create a Dataset in Lasernet?"
slug: "how-do-i-create-a-dataset-in-lasernet"
description: "This article will outline how to create a Dataset in Lasernet from XML data. Creating this Dataset will allow further functions to be executed."
updated: 2026-03-27T14:28:34Z
published: 2026-03-27T14:28:34Z
canonical: "kb.lasernetgroup.com/how-do-i-create-a-dataset-in-lasernet"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.lasernetgroup.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How Do I Create a Dataset in Lasernet?

This article will outline how to create a **Dataset** in Lasernet from XML data. Creating this **Dataset** will allow further functions to be executed and make the creation of Word and Excel output easier, given that both will not accept direct XML input and necessitate the creation of separate input **Datasets** instead.

Data such as XML will need to go through a Dataset form to create a Dataset output which moves into a Rich Text (Word/Excel) output form. This can be achieved with separate form engines or by looping the data back and using form criteria to ensure it reaches the right form.

The following diagram shows how Input data goes through one form to become Dataset data and then into a Rich Text output form to become an Excel, Word, or HTML/XHTML output. This article will focus on the first Form and the creation of the dataset data.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/1667302123156.png)

You will need to open the Lasernet Developer and follow these steps:

1. Create a new Form and select **Dataset** under the **Output Format** drop-down. Under the **Input Format** drop-down, the format should remain **XML**. Click **Ok** to finish.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-T6MKELIY.png)

1. Once this Form has been created, locate the XML grab file and paste it into the input.
2. Before an output structure can be created, the **Pattern** tool must be applied to the main elements.

In the example, **Pattern** is applied to **Item** and **Detail** nodes.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-FTHCA9I7.png)

1. After the pattern has been mapped, rearranges must be assigned. Select the **Rearrange** tool and choose the required elements to rearrange.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-UFXTLIA7.png)

1. An output structure will now need to be created. First, switch to the **Template** tab at the bottom right of the screen. Then, right-click the Lasernet element and click **Add Table**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-0UHQ1S5C.png)

1. When the **Add Table** box appears, input a table name and click **Ok**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-QWD3IGR6.png)

1. Select and drag the input pattern elements to the output table. Click the **CTRL** key and drag the **Item** node to the **Template** tab of the output.

Two options are provided when mapping the data from the XML sheet to the **Template** tab These can be seen in the following image:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-VOHIZZX7.png)

1. Choose the option **Add pattern as a nested table**, this will select the pattern name and create this as a table.

A) All rearrange in this pattern will be nested in the **Pattern** table. The following image gives an example of this nesting, where **Item** is the pattern, and the rearranges are nested under each table:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-NUCJA833.png)

B) The option **Merge pattern** with table will combine the pattern and rearrange it within one table. The following image gives an example of this result. For this guide, use Option A above.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-2TXTL87D.png)

We need to ensure a **Master** table is created to ensure ease of use when using this dataset output in a Word\Excel form. For example, a **Master** table exists below to encapsulate several tables.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-T53MBS31.png)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-FBUWUNRV.png)

Once this has been completed, you can set a destination for a **Dataset Input** Form. The **Dataset** can be saved to produce a functional **Dataset** as a grab file in **Dataset Input** forms.

To save, open the **XML** tab (bottom left of the second page), open the file, select **Preview**, and then click **Save**.