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
importare:
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:
