What type of file (.xml, .csv, .html) can I use with a Networked Variable in BrightAuthor?

Last Updated: October 26, 2015

The Networked Variable feature in BrightAuthor requires an .xml file to update. The .xml file uses a simple RSS <item> tag. The variable name goes into the <title> tag and the variable value goes into the <description> tag:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<rss version="2.0">
<channel>
<item>
<title>test</title>
<description>50</description>
</item>
</channel>
</rss>

In the example below, under File > Presentation Properties > Variables, the variable is pointing to an .xml file in a dropbox account. When you click on the "Validate" button, BrightAuthor attempts to read the value in the description field of the xml tag.  

BSN Live Data Feeds

If you have a BrightSign Network subscription, you can use the Live Data Feed feature to update Networked Variables. With Live Data Feeds, each Title field specifies a variable name, and the corresponding Value field specifies the value of the variable.