To define the field properties of a data import template

The procedure to define the field properties of a data import template is as follows:

1. Navigate to Quick Menu > System > File Import and Export > File Import and Export Templates. The File Import and Export Template window is displayed.
2. Expand an import type heading from the alphabetical list and select an associated data import template, or type its name into the Search File Import and Export Template field. By default the list is filtered to show Current templates. An alternative filter can be applied using the Select view drop-down field: Expired, Future or All combinations 1.
3. Click on Details. The Details tab is activated, revealing all data fields supported by the import template in the Data Fields summary table, categorised by level: Detail or Header 2.
4. Double-click on the first data field supported by the import template i.e. the top row in the summary table. The Field Definition window is displayed.
5. Where the data field represents a header or footer, enter the Header / Footer row number into the field provided i.e. to denote the position of the data element within the source file. The Up and Down arrows are available to increment or decrement the value, as required.
6. Enter a positive integer into the Column number field provided i.e. to denote the position of the data element within the source file. The Up and Down arrows are available to increment or decrement the value, as required.
7. Optionally, to cleanse the data contained in this field, multi-select the desired trimming method using the Strip characters drop-down field, or choose the All option, as required 1. An explanation of each methodology is summarised in the table below.
8. Where the data field contains numeric values, use the File decimal places field to enter the number of decimal places expected within each element. The Up and Down arrows are available to increment or decrement the value, as required.
9. Where a Default value will be assigned to the data field, select the desired control element i.e. Fixed Value, Header Field or Today, or proceed to step 11.
10. For a Fixed Value or Header Field control element, specify the overriding parameter using the corresponding Default value field 3. Alternatively, select the control element entitled Today to override the data field with the current system date.
11. To manage the correct mapping of the source data, enter the first expected File value into the field provided and select the matching database element from the corresponding Translated value drop-down field.
12. Click on Add/Update Translation. The data field mapping is displayed in the Translations summary table.
13. Repeat steps 11 and 12 for all remaining source values contained in the data column.
14. Click on Save 4. The defined field properties are displayed in the Data Fields summary table.
15. Repeat steps 4 through 14 for all remaining data fields supported by the import template.

Tip

1 Where only a small number of parameter values are not required, activate the All tick box first and then de-select individual items from the full list, as appropriate; the All tick box will be automatically removed once an item is de-selected.

Note

1 The Search File Import and Export Template field will match against any element of the template description.

2 The inclusion of a header row is not mandatory but will be dictated by the source file format.

3 The behaviour of this field will be governed by the data type of the selected import source column.

4 To remove an existing data field mapping entry, select the corresponding row in the Translations summary table and click on Remove Translation.

See related topics...

Data import management overview

To create a new data import template