The Table Object Model uses two different XML formats:

This is a persisted form of the Table Object Model that is used in Table Document (.mtd) files. The format of the XML closely matches the object model. The Document.Save method generates Table Document XML. The Document.Load method can read this data back in again.

This is a simplified form of the Table Document XML that provides a view of the final tables for use by other software and export plug-ins. The Document.GetTablesXml method generates Tables XML. This method can optionally include the ADO recordset that is returned by the CellValues property and custom labels.

The main difference between the two XML formats is that in the Tables XML the global settings are merged with the settings on individual tables and some superfluous information has been removed. This has the great advantage that the export plug-ins (and other software components) have access to the final tables and do not need to be concerned with the complex process of merging the global settings. The information that is removed includes the default settings and the ADO schema information and namespacing in the ADO recordset.

The Export.Export method internally calls Document.GetTablesXml and passes the Tables XML to the export plug-in to render. The Export.Export and Document.GetTablesXml methods are both able to return individual tables.

Detailed information on the two XML schemas is provided in the mrtables_reference.dita#mrtables_reference" section.