Handling Embedded OLE Objects in ReqIF Imports

Overview

This article provides guidance on handling embedded OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) objects when exchanging requirements via ReqIF between DOORS and Jama Connect. The focus is on whether DX (Data Exchange) can process OLE objects and best practices for ensuring attachment compatibility.

1. Does DX Support Embedded OLE Objects?

✔ DX does not natively support embedded OLE objects.
✔ Embedded OLE data from DOORS may not appear in Jama Connect as expected.
✔ OLE preview images may not always be available, depending on how they were inserted in DOORS.

Implications for Jama Connect Import:

• If an image file format (e.g., PNG, JPEG) is embedded as an OLE object, DX will import it as a standard image.
• If the attachment is non-image data (e.g., Word, Excel, Visio), DX will only import a hyperlink to the file.
• Some file types, like SVG, are not supported for embedding in Jama Connect.

2. How DOORS Exports OLE Objects in ReqIF

✔ OLE objects in DOORS can be stored as references or as binary data.
✔ If exported as a reference, the ReqIF file will only contain a link, not the actual file.
✔ DX may fail to import the reference correctly if the target system does not support OLE.

• When exporting ReqIF from DOORS, check whether attachments are stored as OLE references or files.
• If OLE files are not present in the ReqIF package, the import to Jama Connect will result in missing attachments.

3. Best Practices for Importing OLE Data into Jama Connect

✅ Convert OLE Objects into Standard Attachments Before Exporting:

• If possible, save OLE objects as static image files (e.g., PNG, JPEG, PDF) before exporting from DOORS.
• This ensures that images are properly displayed in Jama Connect.

✅ Ensure Attachments Are Included in the ReqIF Package:

• Before exporting, confirm that files referenced in the ReqIF exist and are bundled with the package.

✅ Manually Add Attachments in Jama Connect if Needed:

• If DX fails to import certain files, manually upload and link them to the relevant items in Jama.

✅ Verify File Type Support in Jama Connect:

• Jama does not support SVG or certain complex embedded OLE file types.
• Consider converting unsupported formats to PNG or PDF.

4. Known Limitations

❌ DX does not extract OLE preview images from DOORS.
❌ Some ReqIF exports reference external OLE objects without including the actual files.
❌ DX cannot process embedded OLE data that requires Microsoft Office applications to open.

5. Conclusion

✔ DX does not fully support embedded OLE objects from DOORS.
✔ Best practice is to convert OLE data into static files before ReqIF export.
✔ Attachments should be bundled with the ReqIF package to prevent missing files.
✔ Jama Connect users may need to manually upload unsupported file types.

By following these best practices, users can mitigate issues related to OLE object handling and ensure a smooth requirements exchange process.