Creating BizTalk map with multiple input schema

Question

Is there anyway to create a BizTalk map with multiple input schema "from scratch" ?
i.e. not creating an orchestration and a transform shape and selecting multiple messages in the Source

Answer 1

For clarity I will outline the procedure for the creation of a multiple input schema map using Visual Studio:

• Create an empty orchestration.
• Create all the message types you need (all the input messages and the output message)
• Drag a construct message shape and a transform shape onto there.
• Configure the transform shape and add all your input messages to the Transform Source list

• Set the output message as usual and click OK
• A map file should appear in your project. Open it
• You will see on the left-hand side all you input messages are now available in the mapper (under Root/InputMessagePart_1, _2, etc)

You can then rename/move the map as needed.

Answer 2

No, there isn't a way to create a multi-schema input map in Visual Studio for either BizTalk 2006, 2009 or 2013 (thanks for the clarification @Krishan) without going via the Orchestration/Transform shape route. The only other option is to manually write a map by hand in a text editor, or from a template.

Bear in mind that with the Orchestration/Transform solution, you can throw the Orchestration away once you've used it to create the map.

Answer 3

Just in case anyone still needs this, here's a template you can use.

http://fabiomarini.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/multipart-map-template/