Document templates for schema-based data transfer into and out of a data-based application

A method comprising:

• populating fields within a template associated with a document application based on data stored in a database associated with a data-based application by:
• providing connection information associated with the template to a database integration engine, wherein the connection information identifies a data set within the database from which data entities are to be extracted, wherein the connection information identifies a schema definition to be used by the database integration engine to generate a structured data document that includes the extracted data entities, wherein the connection information defines a link between the fields within the template and the data set within the database and wherein the connection information facilitates automated updates of the fields within the template with the latest data stored in the data set within the database;
• receiving the structured data document from the database integration engine;
• and
• transferring the extracted data entities from the structured data document to the template fields in accordance with a map associated with the template.

A method comprising:

• providing a template for transferring data into or out of a database associated with a data-based application by:
• saving a map that maps fields of a first document associated with a document application to a schema definition, wherein the map was used to insert data entities into or extract data entities from a structured data document used for transferring the data entities between the fields of the first document and a data set within the database;
• saving connection information used to identify the data set within the database into which the data entities were transferred or from which the data entities were transferred and to identify the schema definition, wherein the connection information defines a link between the fields of the first document and the data set within the database and wherein the connection information facilitates automated updates of the fields of the first document with the latest data stored in the data set within the database or facilitates automated updates of the data set within the database with the latest data stored in the fields of the first document;
• and
• making the saved map and connection information available to a user for association with a second document associated with the document application.