How To Use Import/Export
This topic deals with the basics of using Collect!'s Import/Export
module. This is an optional feature of Collect!.
Requirements
- Purchase the Import/Export module or practice in the Demo database
- Experience working with databases
- Understanding of field and table structures in database construction
Overview
Collect! Import is a tool for importing large amounts of data quickly
into Collect! It can also be used to transfer data between Collect!
databases or to export data from Collect! for use by other programs.
Import is flexible and allows you to import from almost any file type.
It also allows you to schedule review activities for the imported
account, and to automate a number of activities upon importing,
such as scheduling letters to be sent.
Collect! can import any standard file type readable by
your PC. Examples are csv (comma separated variable
length) or a fixed length file text types.
Import allows you to transfer data between clients and your office,
between branch and forwarding offices, and supports litigation
and other account forwarding activities. Import also provides a
flexible facility for importing data directly from diverse client and
other file formats via electronic media.
Collect! ships with a Database Transfers sample that provides
a simple method for transferring information between different
sites using Collect!.
You can have your imports run unattended using
Collect!'s Scheduler Module. Contact Administration
for pricing options for this add-on module,
250-391-0466 option 3.
How To Use Import/Export
You can use the Export function to create files that you
can use in Excel and other third party Query Report
Generator applications.
There are three main parts to the Import/Export system.
1. Tell import/export how your files are/will be
organized. This is the "import map."
2. Load data from files into Collect! using the Import function.
3. Transfer data from Collect! into files using the Export function.
Data from any outside source may contain erroneous or
inconsistent data. It is imperative that you have a means of restoring
your database after importing.
We cannot be responsible for lost data or loss of
data integrity!
If your new processing under construction is going to be invasive
to your production environment, we recommend (a) testing it
thoroughly in your demodb FIRST and (b) taking a Snapshot of your
database (or backup) before running the process in your live
masterdb the first time.
File Format Specification
This option lets you tell Import how your files are organized.
Here, Collect! allows you to define the layout of your files.
This information will be used when you run the Import or Export
functions.
See the Help topic - File Format Specification for more information.
Import File
This option opens the Import menu, allowing you
to load information from a file into the Collect! database.
The basic steps for importing data are as follows.
1. Define the file format, specifying the record type
and the fields.
2. Run the Import function.
3. As the Import runs you can confirm your layout. Initially, tell
Import NOT to load the records.
4. Revise the file format as needed; ONLY when you are satisfied
that the information is being loaded correctly should you tell
Import to save the data.
See the Help topic - Import Menu for more information.
Export File
This option opens the Export menu, which allows you
to produce a file containing information from your Collect! database.
The basic steps for exporting data are as follows.
1. Define the file format, specifying the record type
and the fields.
2. Run the Export function.
3. Confirm whether the receiving system can interpret the data.
See the Help topic - Export Menu for more information.
Import Routine Steps
When the import runs, it proceeds as follows:
1. Reads a line of text.
2. Looks at the first import record definition, and reads
fields into the specified record.
3. Looks at the next record definition if there is one,
and starting again at the beginning of the line, it loads
fields into the record being imported.
View Accumulator Fields
View Attachment Fields
View Client Fields
View Client Attachment Fields
View Client Contact Fields
View Contact Fields
View Debtor Fields
View Debtor Cosigner Fields
View Notes Fields
View Payment Fields
View Transaction Fields
View Phone Fields
See Also
- Import/Export Module Usage Requirements
- Import/Export Topics
|
Was this page helpful? Do you have any comments on this document? Can we make it better? If so how may we improve this page.
Please click this link to send us your comments: helpinfo@collect.org