Format of the .NDL files (Notes DocLink)
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Format of the .NDL files (Notes DocLink)

NDL files are used to store Notes links to databases, views or documents in a "normal" text file. The .NDL file name extension is entered in the Windows registry when the Notes client is installed (path: HKey_Class_Root).
 

Calling a .NDL file in the Notes Client

Once you have created a .NDL file, it can be passed as a parameter when starting the Notes Client (calling the notes.exe file).
Example:
notes.exe C:\temp\testdoclink.ndl
Depending on the content of the .NDL file, a specific database, a specific view of a database or a document is then opened directly in the Notes client.
 

Structure and format of .NDL files

The .NDL file contains the following tags:
Tag
Description
<NDL></NDL>
All linking information is defined between these tags.
<REM></REM> (Optional)
Any input between these tags is a comment and thus has no effect on the linked object (database, view or document).
<FLAGS ADDTEMPORARY=value NOREPLSEARCH=value> (Optional)
ADDTEMPORARY=1 No icon will be added to the workspace. NOREPLSEARCH=1 No search is performed in the "stacked icons" in the workspace.
<REPLICA></REPLICA>
The replica ID of the database must be specified between these tags. Example: <REPLICA>C1256567:004A6323</REPLICA>
<VIEW></VIEW> (Optional if <NOTE> is not used)
The view ID of the view that will be opened or that contains the document to be opened. Example: <VIEW>OF116301F7:C9AF7BB2-ON80256295:00678F47</VIEW>
<NOTE></NOTE> (Optional)
The document ID of the document to be opened. Example: <NOTE>OFD9E901DD:A49FC1F3-ONC12565FB:00639228</NOTE>
<HINT></HINT> (Optional)
Domino Server name: CN=Server/O=Organization
 

Complete example

This example opens a document in a view:
<NDL>
<REPLICA>C1256C1E:006B1EB2</REPLICA>
<VIEW>OFE3EF8FA3:02C930C5-ONC1256C1F:006A92DB</VIEW>
<NOTE>OF29DCC0C1:74F9C52F-ONC1256C1F:00831A06</NOTE>
<HINT>CN=IMD-SVR01/O=IMD</HINT>
<REM>madicon Office</REM>
</NDL>
 

Creating a .NDL file

Do you find the .NDL format complicated? You don't have to create such files manually with an editor. There is a simple way to "get" the required parameters virtually by a single mouse click:
  • Create a shortcut in the Notes clientTo do this, open any Notes database, select the desired document in a view and then select the menu item: "Edit" -> "Copy as". In the following submenu you can now decide whether you want to create a database, view or document link.
  • Open the Windows Editor
  • Paste the shortcut located in the clipboardMenu: "Edit" -> "Paste"
  • Save the fileMake sure that the file has the extension .NDL.
Now you have created a correct .NDL file. You can now use this file (as described above) e.g. as "start parameter" for the Notes client.
 

This topic on the Wikipedia website

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The following information is not available on the English Wikipedia page. The link therefore points to the German Wikipedia page.
Die hier gemachten Angaben wurden in den Wikipedia-Artikel zu HCL Notes übernommen.
 
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