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Tutorial 14: Importing Databases into the Mac Desktop
Product: HanDBase Desktop MacArticle Number: 310Creation Date: 12/07/2007

- Topic: Importing Records to an Existing Database using Mac Desktop

- Product: HanDBase Desktop for Mac

- Version: 4.0

- Date Modified: November 24, 2007

- Handheld OS: n/a

- Desktop OS: Mac OS X (10.3.x, 10.4.x, 10.5)

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Tutorial:

This tutorial's goal is to introduce importing records from a commas separated value (CSV) file into an existing database as a new feature in HanDBase Desktop for Mac 4.0. This feature's main function is to allow users the option of converting external data on the desktop computer to HanDBase format. This extends functionality by allowing data to be taken directly from comma seperated value (CSV) files into the handheld HanDBase format, saving in many cases a great deal of time inputting data on the handheld. In this tutorial, the necessary steps to configure HanDBase on the desktop to take advantage of this new feature will be detailed. Then, the results of proper configuration will be examined. Finally, additional resources will be provided should any further information be needed.

To take advantage of the ability to import records into existing databases on the desktop, HanDBase Desktop for Mac 4 first needs to be configured. The first step in doing so is to launch HanDBase Desktop by finding the application in the Finder and double-clicking the icon. Be default, the application is installed to the following directory:

- Macintosh HD / Applications / HanDBase /

Once running, the steps necessary to import are:

Step #1:

a) Set HanDBase’s preferences to match the type of CSV file that will be imported. To do this, select the menu item “HanDBase 4/Preferences”. In the resulting dialog, configure the preferences as illustrated below, for the purpose of this tutorial:

b) As illustrated, the user can define the date and time format as well as the decimal separator for numbers. It is best practice to leave the decimal separator set to a “.”, otherwise changing it to a “,” comma may cause interference with the default delimited.

c) Since most typically CSV files are delimited by a comma, leave the bottom option set as it. In the case that a file happens to be delimited by a tab, this option can be changed.

Step #2:

a) After defining HanDBase’s formats preferences, the next step is to open an existing HanDBase database. This can be accomplished by:

- choosing the database in the display list

- using the File/Open menu option

- using the File/Open Recent menu option

b) When opened, select the File / Import / Into Current Database / Import from comma separated text file menu option to select a database to import.

c) Immediately after selection the menu option to import a CSV file into the current database, as illustrated above, a series of dialogs present questions about the type of import to perform and how to read the information in the CSV file.

d) The first dialog allows the choice of replacing the existing records in the database or appending them to the end. The append option is probably the most useful in this situation, as this feature allows for more records to be added without recreating the database. Only use the replace option when the existing records are no longer needed or wanted.

e) The second dialog asks information about the format of the CSV file. Comma separated value files may have the field names listed in the first row of records, or the first row may contain actual data, or a record. Be sure to choose the appropriate option for the CSV file that is being imported.

f) The next to last dialog in this sequence asks whether or not the data is surrounded by quotation marks or not. Again, be sure to choose the option most appropriate for the file being imported.

g) Finally, choose the file to be imported in the resulting file browser dialog.

h) Once finished selecting the file to import in the dialog, click the “OK” button. After a moment of processing, the database should open in HanDBase Desktop, displaying the entire set of records, both the prior set and those that have been appended.

To summarize, this tutorial has introduced the ability to import records from a CSV file into an existing database as one of the many new features in HanDBase Desktop for Mac. Additional resources, if needed, can be found at:

link to video version of tutorial


If further assistance is needed, please contact DDH Software's technical support at http://www.ddhsoftware.com/support

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