Are you sure you need to iterate? It sound like each field of the FRL needs to populate an HRL or something else.
It has been a long time since I have worked with FRL and so much of this is from a somewhat hazy memory.
In any case, as I recall with an Frl you can only have a repeating field and there is something (I don’t recall right of the top of my head what) you need to define in the FRL so that the field is considered repeating. Then I think the Xlate configurator will activate the COPY to Basis.
However, you can set the basis manually in the iterate configuration. Just type in the proper path. As far as the iteration counter (I think that is what you mean by ‘variables’) I believe for an FRL only the ‘List’ (%l) counter is valid and that assumes a fixed number of repetitions where you build a list for the number of repetitions. If your mesage has a variable number of repetitions then maybe you have a VRL or something else.
You can manipulate iteration counters (even ones not associated with an ITERATE Action) by prepending a $ to the counter ($%g1 for example) and then doing whatever Action or Tcl activity you want to the counter.
If you want to email me directly to clarify, etc. email me at
I hope I have not muddied the waters very much.
Jim Kosloskey
email: jim.kosloskey@jim-kosloskey.com 29+ years Cloverleaf, 59 years IT - old fart.
