"Root element is missing." when importing a PageLayout

[Nina Esile]

I can't figure out why I'm getting an error when I try to import a page layout file into my project. It says "Root element is missing." Any ideas?

Nina

[LTinker68]

What do you mean by "import"? Are you trying the global linking option (linking it to a "parent" project), or do you mean you copied the file from one project into another project using Windows Explorer?

[Nina Esile]

I choose Project > Add Page Layout, then choose a layout created in a workmate's project, not created as part of my project.

[LTinker68]

Well, that should work. I just tested it and didn't get an error (using the "New from Existing" option). Does it work if you just copy the file over using Windows Explorer? If you do it that way, you may not get the error until you try to open the page layout from your project.

Do you get the error when you're trying to add it or when you're trying to build the output? I tested it with a page layout that pointed to an image I didn't have in the destination project, but I didn't get any errors from that missing file, just a notice during the build that it was missing something and it actually displayed text in the PDF output that it was missing a file or snippet or something like that.

I'm wondering if in this case the page layout itself is missing part of a tag. Does the workmate get any errors when he or she tries to open the page layout in their project? Or when he or she tries to "import" the page layout into a test project?

[Nina Esile]

I use the New From Existing Option as well. I get it when I click Add after locating the file.

I tried just copying it to the correct directory within my project, but I get the same error when I try to open the layout to look at it.

I'll have to ask him. I don't know the answers to your questions.

I figured I could just use his layout instead of reinventing it myself.

[LTinker68]

Normally you should be able to.

[Nina Esile]

I'll check with my colleague to see what he has sent me. I'll also see what version he is using. I'm pretty sure we both have 6.

[helen]

Has the layout been in Source Control at all? I would open it in Edit ++ or similar and check the first line, see if a UTF-16 encoding mark has made its way in.

[Nina Esile]

You know what? I opened the layout files in Edit Plus and they are completely blank! When I detach them from the email, even though I can see while they are attached to the email that they are not 0 KB files, when they detach they have the correct file names, but they are 0 KB files. Nothing in them. Wonder what's happening as they are being saved?

Thanks so much for your suggestion. I hadn't thought to look at the files themselves, thinking instead that it was a Flare issue.

[helen]

Weirder and weirder! Well, a new avenue to explore at least, good luck!