Use the following procedure to complete the steps necessary for importing data from an import file to a table in the Dexterity-based application. This procedure will first show you how to set up an import definition, then import the data.
The definition you create here provides the Import Utility with information about the file that will be imported, including its contents and format. The Import Utility uses this information to correctly match the information in the destination table with the information in the import file.
Because an incorrect import definition can result in incorrect data being imported into the application, test the import definition with sample data before importing your own data.
To begin importing data, perform the following steps:
Because the Import Utility adds data directly to the application’s tables, we strongly recommend that you make a complete backup of them before importing new records. Then, if any problems occur during the importing process, you will be able to restore the data from the backup.
Typically, this window is opened by going to the Tools menu, pointing to Integrate, then choosing Table Import.
If you are creating a new import definition, enter an ID and description.
If you want to edit an existing definition, click the Definition ID lookup button. A lookup window will appear, listing all the existing import definitions. When you select an existing definition from the lookup window, the remaining lines in the window will be filled in automatically, displaying all the information about the definition.
Select the source file type (Tab or Comma) Source File Format list, then click the Source File lookup button to locate the import file.
Click the Destination Table lookup button to select the table you want to import into. When the Choose A Table window appears, select product and series the destination table belongs to. The tables in the series will be displayed in the Table List. Choose the table you want, then click Select.
Select a field you want to link to in the Field Name column, then click the Source lookup button to display the Import Data Lookup window. This window will display the fields for the first record in the import file; how you link the first record to the destination table determines how the remaining records will be imported.
If you don't want to import a field in the import file, don't map it in the import definition. If you want to import a single field from the import file to more than one field in the destination table, do so by mapping the import field to all appropriate fields.
To map an import field to a destination field, select the field in the Data column whose data corresponds to the selected destination field and click OK. Continue mapping source fields to destination fields until all the fields you want to add to the table are mapped.
If you need to add data to fields in the destination table that have the same value for every record imported, enter a value in the Constant field, select the appropriate destination field, and click the Add button to insert the constant.
To remove any constant values, or if you'd like to remove the link from a field from the import file to a field in the destination table, select the field in the scrolling window and click Remove.
Click the Import button to begin the importing process. If you don't want to import data right now, click Save to save the definition for use at a later time.
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If sample data is available for the application, use it test the import definitions you create. When the import definition is set up correctly, you can use it with the actual data. |
During the import process, the Import Status window will be displayed. This window shows the results of the import operation and allows you to cancel the process.
After performing the import perform any table maintenance routines in the application to verify the integrity of the data that was imported.