Import Field Options

These options control fields on importing and exporting. You can control, or even cancel, importing a record or field if the correct values are not read from the file. You can also control exporting to ensure that only data that matches specific criteria are sent.

If you are wondering which optional switches you should set for a field, do not set any to start with. Only add additional criteria after you have a functioning framework. Start small with the first record and only expand after that is working correctly. It is best practice to prove each step as you build it. This will eliminate frustration when applying these switches in complex reports.

For instance, "Must be filled" and "Fail cancels field," you should accept the defaults unless you really must choose these settings.

Matching Field Values

The blank permitted, must be filled and other options control import and export operations at both the record and field level.

The record will not be imported if the incoming field data does not match the requirement. The only exception to this is turning ON the "Fail Cancels Field Only" switch. In this case, the record will continue loading, but the specific failed field data is not imported into the record.

Similarly, the export routine examines the data in the record being exported. If it fails the test, the record is not exported. Or, if you have set the "Fail Cancels Field Only" switch, the field is not exported.

Blank Permitted

The record or field will be exported or imported even if the data is blank.

The "Fail Cancels Field" switch determines if it is the record or just the particular field that has been canceled.

Must Be Filled

The record or field must have data in it, for it to be imported or exported. It cannot be blank.

The "Fail Cancels Field" switch determines if it is the record or just the particular field that has been canceled.

Must Be Non Zero

Numeric fields must have a value for this field or record to be imported or exported.

The "Fail Cancels Field" switch determines if it is the record or just the particular field that has been canceled.

Must Be Greater Than Zero

Numeric fields must be a positive value greater than zero for this field or record to be imported or exported.

The "Fail Cancels Field" switch determines if it is the record or just the particular field that has been canceled.

Must Be Less Than Zero

Numeric fields must be a negative value greater than zero for this field or record to be imported or exported.

The "Fail Cancels Field" switch determines if it is the record or just the particular field that has been canceled.

Must Equal Zero

Numeric fields must equal zero for this field or record to be imported or exported.

The "Fail Cancels Field" switch determines if it is the record or just the particular field that has been canceled.

Must Equal Default Value

Data in the field being imported or exported must be equal to the value you entered into the import field specification "Default Value" field.

This comparison works with numeric, text and database field codes. For example, you might want a value equal to 100 or equal to @de.pr. A text value is compared simply as an ASCII value. 'z' is greater than 'a', for instance.

The "Fail Cancels Field" switch determines if it is the record or just the particular field that has been canceled.

Must Not Equal Value

Data in the field being imported or exported must not be equal to the value you entered into the import field specification "Default Value" field.

This comparison works with numeric, text and database field codes. For example, you might want a value not equal to 100 or not equal to @de.pr. A text value is compared simply as an ASCII value. 'z' is greater than 'a', for instance.

The "Fail Cancels Field" switch determines if it is the record or just the particular field that has been canceled.

Greater Than Value

Data in the field being imported or exported must be greater than the value you entered into the import field specification "Default Value" field.

This comparison works with numeric, text and database field codes. For example, you might want a value greater than 100 or greater than @de.pr. A text value is compared simply as an ASCII value. 'z' is greater than 'a', for instance.

The "Fail Cancels Field" switch determines if it is the record or just the particular field that has been canceled.

Less Than Value

Data in the field being imported or exported must be less than the value you entered into the import field specification "Default Value" field.

This comparison works with numeric, text and database field codes. For example, you might want a value less than 100 or less than @de.pr. A text value is compared simply as an ASCII value. 'z' is greater than 'a', for instance.

The "Fail Cancels Field" switch determines if it is the record or just the particular field that has been canceled.

Warn On Data Overrun

Switch this ON to prompt when data being imported or exported is wider than the field.

Fail Cancels Field Only

Normally, when a required field is missing, the whole record will not be imported. However, when you set this switch, only the field data will not be imported or exported. The record will continue to be loaded with field data.

This switch is useful for filling a single field from one of a range of places in an import file, depending on which of the places has actual data.

This only works when imported fixed length files. It does not work with CSV imports.

Precision

This field sets the number of digits after the decimal point.

It is used only for floating point numbers.

Strip Non-Numerics

This removes non-numerics from the incoming data for this field.

If you have switched ON an "Only numerics" option in the Screen and Messages form, non-numerics will be stripped from Phone and/or SSN fields, even when this "Strip Non-numerics" switch is OFF. Please refer to Help topic, Screen and Messages for details.

Strip Spaces

This removes spaces from the incoming data for this field.

Strip Decimal Point

This removes the decimal point and left justifies the field.

It is used only for floating point numbers.

Right Justify Zero Fill

This right justifies the field and fills empty spaces with zeroes. This only works when EXPORTING data. Specify a value in the Length field and Collect! will use this to right justify the data and zero fill to the length you have specified.

NPANNX Reversal

This option relates to phone numbers. When the system being imported switches the exchange and area code portions of the phone number, this option can handle the reversal.

Current Owing

This switch applies only when you are exporting the transaction records and are including the Debtor's Owing or Paid amounts with the transaction.

The Current Owing switch (default) will export the Debtor's Owing or Paid. This will occur at the time the export is run, when you are exporting the Owing or Paid fields from the transaction record.

Owing Before Transaction

This switch applies only when you are exporting the transaction records and are including the Debtor's Owing or Paid amounts with the transaction.

The owing before transaction switch will export the Debtor's Owing or Paid. This will occur before the transaction is applied to the Debtor. Collect! calculates this while you export by reviewing historical transactions.

This switch applies only if the field you are exporting is the Owing or Paid fields in the Transaction record.

Owing After Transaction

This switch applies only when you are exporting the transaction records and are including the Debtor's Owing or Paid amounts with the transaction.

The owing after transaction switch will export the Debtor's Owing or Paid. This will occur after the transaction is applied to the Debtor. Collect! calculates this while you export by reviewing historical transactions.

This switch applies only if the field you are exporting is the Owing field or Paid field in the Transaction record.

Non Address

This command tells Collect! to ignore address formatting.

City

This function exports the City portion of the address.

Please refer to the address formats specified for credit bureau reporting.

This applies only when you specify the field you are exporting as one of the address fields.

State

This function exports the State portion of the address.

Please refer to the address formats specified for credit bureau reporting.

This applies only when you specify the field you are exporting as one of the address fields.

ZIP

This function exports the Zip or Postal portion of the address.

Please refer to the address formats specified for credit bureau reporting.

This applies only when you specify the field you are exporting as one of the address fields.

Help

Press this button for help on the Import Field Options dialog and links to related topics.

Cancel

Select this button to ignore any changes you may have made and then return to the previous form.

OK

Selecting this button will save any data you have entered and return you to the previous form.

See Also

- File Format Specification
- How To Use Import/Export
- Import Menu
- Export Menu
- How To Report Credit
- How To Set Default Values For Imports
- Import/Export Topics