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Question: How do I get my HanDBase data into Access?
Product: General HanDBase TopicArticle Number: 157Creation Date: 10/23/2001
Answer:
You basically have three options for getting your HanDBase data into MS Access. Listed below are the programs you would use and the basics of getting the data to Access.

  • HanDBase Desktop
    You can use the HanDBase Desktop to export the Data to a CSV file, either manually or by writing a batch file, or equivalent script, to call the command line options to do the export. You can then import that file into your Access Table. Following are basic steps for doing this:

    1. Open your Database in the HanDBase Desktop.
    2. From the File menu select Export.
    3. Choose CSV as the Output Type.
    4. Click OK.
    5. The Output file info will be filled in but can be changed. We recommend you change the output path to be somewhere you will remember.
    6. Choose any additional options you desire. We recommend you check the option to "Create First Line With Field Names" and select the "Field Order of fields" option from Export using.
    7. After Exporting open the Database you wish to import into in MS Access.
    8. From the file menu select Get External Data and then select Import.
    9. When the import dialog appears change the "Files of Type" to "Text Files".
    10. Navigate to the location where you saved the CSV file.
    11. Double-click the exported CSV file.
    12. When the "Import Text Wizard" appears leave the Delimited option selected and click Next.
    13. Check the option that indicates "First Row Contains Field Names".
    14. If you chose to place quotes around each field then modify the "Text Qualifier" option to indicate the quotes (").
    15. Verify that the info in the lower table is separated correctly, then click Next.
    16. If you wish to create a new table of the Data leave that option selected. Otherwise select the "In an Existing Table" option and select your table from the list. Then click Next.
    17. If you chose to import into an existing table you will just need to click Finish on the final screen and your data will be imported.
    18. If you chose to import into a New table you will be given additional options on this next screen for Field Name, Data Type, Whether it is Indexed, and if you actually want to import that field. To change these properties select the column in the lower section and then change the appropriate options. When finished changing options, or if you don't want to change options then click Next.
    19. The next screen will give you the option of Creating a Primary Key. Choose the option you desire and click Next.
    20. On the final screen change the Table Name, if desired, and click Finish.

  • HanDBase Data Exchange
    The next option, which is somewhat easier and gives more options, is to use the HanDBase Data Exchange for MS Access. This is still a conversion tool but it has options like field mapping and field selection so you have more control over what data goes over. It also has options for Appending the records converted or replacing all existing records with those from HanDBase. This also has command line options you can use to automate the process with a Batch or Script file. What makes this so easy is that an option will be put in the HanDBase Desktop to export directly to Access. You simply open your database and select that option and when the Data Exchange screen opens you only have to click the "Export Data" button. Of course you can change the options if you like.

    NOTE: With both of the above options, if you use them in conjunction with the HanDBase Conduit you can use the Command Parameter option of that to automate a Batch or Script file to do the conversions automatically after you Sync.

  • HanDBase ODBC Driver
    The third option would not allow you to get the HanDBase Data directly into an existing Access Table, as the others would, but it really does offer more options. This would be the HanDBase ODBC Driver. With this you can create a 'Link Table' in Access that Directly accesses your HanDBase PDB file so it is always up to date. Plus, if used in conjunction with the HanDBase Conduit you could actually Edit the Data or add records in Access and when you HotSync the data will Sync with the handheld DB. The only drawback is that you can't go directly into an existing Access Table. You basically create this extra table which you can of course run Queries on to get that data into your Master Table.


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