An abstract element cannot occur directly in an XML instance file. Instead, you must use an element derived from the abstract element. By default, the Designer creates a view for any abstract complex element. To reduce metadata, elements from the abstract type do not repeat in any derived type. When you map data to the abstract type, you need to also map data to at least one derived type.

During a session, if the Integration Service loads data to an abstract type, then the Integration Service should also have data for a non-abstract derived type associated with the abstract type. If the derived type has no data, then the Integration Service does not write the abstract element in the target XML file.