Perform the following steps to import data stored in delimited ASCII format into Book Librarian Plus. The program can import files delimited by commas, tabs, semicolons and pipes.
Warning: Create a backup of your database prior to importing data, so if the import is not correct, you can restore data back to its original status prior to trying the import again.
1. From the Book Librarian Plus main menu select Tool>Import>ASCII Delimited Files. This starts the import export program.
2. You will see a warning to ensure that no one else is using the program before continuing. If you purchased the singe user version of Book Librarian Plus just press the continue button. If you have the 5 or 10 user version ensure no one else is using the program prior to continuing with the import.
3. You will see the source file options (Step 1) window below:
4. Use the file lookup button to select the ASCII file you want to import. You have the option to select the number of records you want to import from the source file. Leave the number at 0 to import all the records in the source file.
5. If you do not know how the fields are delimited click the view file button to view the file, so you can determine the what type of field delimiter that is used and also the format of any dates used in the file, also you can see if double quotation marks are used.
NOTE1: You can view the file to see if double quotation marks are used to separate the fields, if they are check the double quotes checkbox.
NOTE2: Some ASCII fields store record layout information in the first record instead of data. If this is the case (you can tell by viewing the file) check the ship first record checkbox.
NOTE3: Most ASCII records are separated by Carriage Return and Line Feed. If the the records are just separated by a Carriage Return , select the end of record is just a carriage return option.
Click the Next Step button to display the Step 2 window (map source fields) window seen below.
6. Click the First Button to load the first record from the source file. If field names are displayed you should check the skip record option on the first page. If the source file does not contain field names in the first record, data items will be displayed in the list on the left. If this is the case, it will be difficult to map the fields correctly unless you have file specifications for the source data.
7. The list box on the left contains a list of fields from the file that you want to import data from. The list box on the right contains a list of fields in Book Librarian Plus. Click on the field you want to import data from in the left box and "drag" it across to the Book Librarian Plus field that you want to hold the data. Repeat for each field that you want to import.
To unlink a field double click the field in the right box.
Import Window Buttons
Start - starts the import operation and adds the data to Book Librarian Plus.
Map by Name - press this button to automatically link fields with the same names.
Save - After you have linked up the fields to import, you can click the button to save the setup so if you wish to import data from the same file again, you won't have to re-link the fields, just press the Retrieve button.
Retrieve - loads the previously saved import information.
Cancel - closes the import window.