Removing header from a flat file in BizTalk

Question

What is the simplest way to remove the header row from a flat file in BizTalk? I have implemented this by creating a separate schema for the header row (and one for the body) and then set the HeaderSpecName property in the 'Configure Pipeline' dialog to the header schema I've just created and then the PreserveHeader property to false. My problem, however, is that with this solution I need to create a schema that does nothing other than it needs to exist so I can remove the header row.

Answer 1

I believe what you stated is the recommended way to do what you are asking. I just had to do this on a project i am working on and chose to have the extra schema.

Another option would be to write your own custom pipeline component for the Disassemble stage that executes before the flat file dissassembler. The Decode stage would work too, but it seems that the disassemble stage is made for this type of work.

This second option would make the removing of the header row more generic and could be used across many different schemas so you wouldn't have to create a separate header schema for each flat file schema.

Answer 2

You could always just parse the header row and not map it.