There are two common errors that result in problems with the @id attribute in FACT files.

• When combining finding aids, identical @id attributes from the separate files will conflict if they are not updated.
• There is a bug where FACT will begin to insert id="COULDNOTGENERATEID" instead of valid @id values.

Both of these problems can be easily fixed by reassigning the @id values throughout the document.  To do this, follow these steps:

• Open the approriate file in FACT.
• Select Refactoring > Run editorial XSLT. The Editorial Transformation dialog box will appear.
• Select "ID Attribute Update" from the drop down menu.  Click OK.
• A second dialog box will appear, asking "This process involves the document being saved and re-opened. Do you wish to continue?"  Click Yes.
• The file will close and reopen.  Once the file has reopened, all @id attributes should have unique values and the related validation problems should be resolved. 
• Note: this operation cannot  be undone by Ctrl-Z.