Import/Export

This Help topic refers to the Import/Export sub-menu available for working with Collect!'s Import Module.

The Import/Export sub-menu gives you access to all the functions available when you use the optional Import Module. Select File from the top menu bar to access the Import/ Export menu.

If you are trying to import or export data maps, reports or contact plans, please refer to the following Help topics.

Import or export maps used for importing or exporting data:

• How to Import Import Maps
• How to Export Import Maps

Reports

• How to Import Reports
• How to Export Reports

Contact Plans

• How to Import Contact Plans
• How to Export Contact Plans

Import/Export

From the Import/ Export menu, you can:

• Import and export data between Collect! and other systems
• Create and customize import maps
• Create and load new import libraries
• Save or load import maps between import libraries
• Export your entire database or selected Clients

Collect! can import any ASCII file that is readable by your PC. Examples are a *.csv (comma separated value) file or a fixed length file. Even a consistent report can be printed to file rather than to the printer to produce a text file. If you or your clients are unsure of format, please request information from Collect! Technical Services.

Import/Export is an add-on extension module in Collect!. If it was not part of your purchase, please request pricing information from Comtech Systems Inc.

Import File

Select this if you want to import a file into Collect! from another source. The Import Menu form will display. Use this form to enter basic file information for the importing routine. Press F1 for help when the Import Menu form is displayed.

Export File

Select this if you want to export a file from Collect! to another system. The Export Menu form will display. Use this form to enter basic file information for the exporting routine. Press F1 for help when the Export Menu form is displayed.

Select Import Library

Select this to display the list of import libraries registered with RDM Server. You may load any alternate library in the list.

Update Definitions

Select this to update the record and field definitions in the loaded import library. These are updated automatically when Collect! upgrades a database, but you can run the update manually to rebuild the list. This should not be necessary if you did not alter any record or field definitions. Field definitions are READ ONLY. Update Definitions restores Collect!'s default record and field definition settings.

Import NCOA

Select this to import NCOA updates into Collect! from a *.coa file received from your Letter Service provider. This will display the Open NCOA File dialog so that you may select the file that contains the address information you wish to bring into Collect!. When you select OPEN or double-click the file, Collect! will attempt to import the file's information into your database. A prompt will display the results of the NCOA import.

Export Database

The Export Database function exports your entire database to a series of text and import files. You can also export selected Clients instead of your entire database. The resulting comma-separated text files are readable by a variety of applications. You can import the data into another Collect! database. As well, this provides a way of making Collect!'s entire data set available for other uses that you may have.

Customize Import/Export

The Customize Import/Export option displays a sub-menu of choices for viewing or and editing your import maps, and creating new maps. You can examine record and field definitions, update field definitions, load an alternate import library, and save or load individual maps between import libraries.