How to export content to XML, CSV or RTF for print

Question

I'd like to export a (views)-list of events to re-import it with Indesign or Pagemaker, so XML, CSV or RTF-format would be great. The list should be restricted to one, the current month (this is no problem with views or even views bulk operations). The important thing is: the events must be grouped by the event-day and their respective categories (concert, theatre).

I already tried the Views Data Export module, but there is no way of grouping the fields. So every "event" has all it's fields in one column.

Is there another module you could recommend or do i have to do this programmatically (which I can't unfortunately).

Thanks in advance for every hint...

Update Thanks to WestieUK i installed the Views Data Source module, which is working great, but not as expected. There's also no grouping of fields (at least not obvious).

So this is what i have:

<root>
    <events>
       <eventdate>21/7/2012</eventdate>
       <categorie>Clubland</categorie>
       <location>Club A</location>
       <title>Klanglabor</title>
       <time>21:00</time>
    </events>
    <events>
       <eventdate>21/7/2012</eventdate>
       <categorie>Clubland</categorie>
       <location>Club B</location>
       <title>Soundlabor</title>
       <time>21:00</time>
    </events>
</root>

I'd like to have it something like this:

<root>
   <eventdate date:21/7/2012>
       <categorie name:Clubland>
           <events>
              <location>Club A</location>
              <title>Klanglabor</title>
              <time>21:00</time>
           </events>
           <events>
              <location>Club B</location>
              <title>Soundlabor</title>
              <time>21:00</time>
           </events>
       </categorie>
    </eventdate>
</root>

Any ideas? If this can be achieved prorgammatically, like making a custom module (based on perhaps the Views Data Source module), I'd give it a try with your help!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Views Data Source is pretty awesome for XML, the 7 release is in dev but we are using it on our D7 to create feeds for android / iphone apps and a intranet running D6.

Answer 2

I would advise to use Services module together with the Services Views

1. After installing the modules create the view with the fields in the sort order you need.
2. Define the needed end points
3. Get your XML by for example: http://example.com/rest/views/events

Answer 3

Under your Format , choose Field. Then keep the format unformatted list. Right next is the settings, there select event date as grouping field nr 1 and then select categories in grouping field nr 2.

Check Remove tags from rendered output on both options

Hopefully this should properly format your views display to what you are looking for.

Answer 4

Another option to consider for addressing these requirements is the Forena module.

You would use it's report writing features (such as its WYSIWYG report writer and/or it's query builder) to first create a report that fits your needs. The result of it could be a tabular output and/or graph. After the report content matches the specifications, you could save it as (e.g.) a CSV or XML file. Did I mention it also comes with some interesting hooks?

Refer to Reasons for considering Forena to understand why I think it might be a good fit, especially because of this part in it:

... if you want to do aggregation or analytics, Forena is much more suited to address these requirements."

The Forena Video demos and tutorials contain quite some links to live demos.

Disclosure: I'm a co-maintainer of this module,
I hope this does not violate the site's policy on self-promotion.