---
title: "Create a document using a sample file"
slug: "bc-create-a-document-using-a-sample-file"
tags: ["BC", "BIS", "Business Central", "Business Integration Solutions", "Task"]
updated: 2026-06-25T09:59:05Z
published: 2026-06-25T09:59:05Z
canonical: "docs.staedean.com/bc-create-a-document-using-a-sample-file"
---

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

# Create a document using a sample file

Use this task to create an external document based on a sample source document. Business Integration Solutions provides a wizard that makes it easy to generate an external document. This makes it much easier to support EDI Studio messages. You can create an external document based on the following source document types:

- Comma-separated file
- XML document
- XML schema
- XML port

## Steps

1. Open the documents list page and create a new external document.
2. Select **Design** to open the **External Document Lines** page.
3. Select the **Create Document from Sample File** action. This opens a wizard.
4. Fill in the following fields:

| Field | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Document Type | Always set to **External**. |
| Document No. | Identification of the external document. |
| What is the type of source document? | Select the source type: **Comma Separated File** if your source document is a CSV file. **XML Document** if your source document is in XML format. **XML Schema** if your source document is based on an XML schema. **Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central XML Port** if your source document is based on a D365 BC XML port. |

1. Select **Next**. Based on the source type, fill in the following fields:

| Source type | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Comma Separated File | Fill in: **What is the root element of this document?**: a root element encloses all other elements. Specify one if applicable. **Specify the delimiter**: choose one of the common delimiters: Semicolon, Comma, or Space. If another delimiter is used, choose **Other**. **Specify the delimiter character**: if the delimiter is **Other**, specify the delimiter character used in the CSV file. **My data has headers**: select this field if your CSV file has a header row. |
| XML Document | Select the file on which to base the external document. |
| XML Schema | Select the file on which to base the external document. |
| Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central XML Port | Specify the D365 BC XML port object on which to base the external document. |

1. For a CSV file, select **Next** to select the file on which to base the external document.
2. Select **Finish** to generate the external document structure.

Based on the source file, a valid XML structure appears in the **External Document Lines** page. You can also make changes to it.

## Related

- [Set up an external document](/bc-set-up-an-external-document.md)