Overview
- Several types of data can be imported through the Import Data screen, such as Product (Inventory), Customer, or Supplier records. Product cost and price information can be imported via this screen as well.
- Data can be imported from:
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- A tab or comma-delimited text file
- A table in a Microsoft Access database
- Any other format (e.g. an Excel spreadsheet or FoxPro table) that can link to an Access database. For information on linking data in external tables to Access, please see MS Access documentation.
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- When importing data from a text file, if the data contains commas, the file should be saved as a tab-delimited file, not a csv.
- Quotes should not be present in text files, regardless of whether it is a csv or tab-delimited file, or you will encounter errors.
- To access this screen go to one of the following areas:
Main Menu > Manage My Inventory > Import My Inventory – File
Main Menu > Manage My Inventory > Import Cost, Price & Weight
Main Menu > Manage My Inventory > Import My Suppliers
Main Menu > Manage My Customers > Import My Customers – File
- The user is lead through the steps to import the various types of data by a series of screens.
- Depending on the type of data being imported, fields on the screens change. Refer to the specific Knowledge Base topic for the type of data being imported for more details.
- This topic discusses the customer import process.
Description of the Screens
Select File to Import Tab
Import Radio Button
- the Customers radio button is selected by default
File to import from (.mdb or text file) Field
- enter the path to the file containing the product information
- the program displays up to 50 fields in the file and the first 100 records at the bottom of the screen
Folder Button
- select this button to navigate to the location of the file containing the product information
Restore from Backup Button
- select this button to restore from a previous backup, if one was created at the last step of the process
Start Over Button
- returns to the Select File to Import tab
Next Button
- select this button when ready to proceed to the Import Options tab
Import Options Tab
Field Delimiter Radio Buttons
Comma Radio Button
- select this button if the fields in the input file are separated by commas
Tab Radio Button
- select this button if the fields in the input file are separated by a tab
Other Field
- enter the character used to separate the fields in the input file
First Row Contains Field Names Check Box
- select this box if the first row in the input file contains a header record with field names
Match on Customer ID Check Box
- in order to update customer records during text file import, this field must be selected and system parameter UseCustomerMatching must be set to TRUE
- the import text file must also contain valid data in the fields identified in parameters CustomerSearch1-4, in order for the program to detect a match
Create new Customers Check Box
- this field is automatically selected and cannot be changed by the user as it is the default behavior of the feature
- make changes to customer records on import, see Match on IDdefault behavior of the function when executed without having customer matching turned on and selecting the Match on Customer ID check box
Data in Text File or Database Table
- this section of the screen displays up to fifty fields and the first one hundred records of data in the input file
Start Over Button
- returns to the Select File to Import tab
Back Button
- returns to the previous tab
Next Button
- select this button when ready to proceed to the Customer Fields tab
Customer Fields Tab
- map the fields in the input file to their counterparts in OMS :
| Customer ID | Company | Country | Price Level |
| Full Name | Phone 1 | Discount % | |
| Name Prefix | Address 1 | Fax | Cost Plus % |
| First Name | Address 2 | Don’t Ship | Web ID |
| Middle Name | City | Don’t Mail | Web Login |
| Last Name | State | Tax Exempt | Password |
| Name Suffix | Zip | Tax ID |
Data in Text File or Database Table
- this section of the screen displays up to fifty fields and the first one hundred records of data in the input file
Start Over Button
- returns to the Select File to Import tab
Back Button
- returns to the previous tab
Next Button
- select this button when ready to proceed to the first page of the Custom Fields tab, if custom customer fields are defined in the program
Custom Fields Tab – Page 1
- map fields in the input file to any custom customer Text and Integer fields defined in OMS
- this tab is not visible is custom customer fields are not defined
Data in Text File or Database Table
- this section of the screen displays up to fifty fields and the first one hundred records of data in the input file
Start Over Button
- returns to the Select File to Import tab
Back Button
- returns to the previous tab
Next Button
- select this button when ready to proceed to the second page of the Custom Fields tab, if custom customer fields are defined
Custom Fields Tab – Page 2
- map fields in the input file to any custom customer Currency and Date fields defined in OMS
- this tab is not visible is custom customer fields are not defined
Data in Text File or Database Table
- this section of the screen displays up to fifty fields and the first one hundred records of data in the input file
Start Over Button
- returns to the Select File to Import tab
Back Button
- returns to the previous tab
Next Button
- select this button when ready to proceed to the Finish and Import tab
Finish and Import Tab
Backup Before Importing Check Box
- select this box to make a backup copy of the affected tables before the import is started
Test Data Button
- select this button to have the program check for errors before starting the import process
Begin Import Button
- select this button to start the import process
Start Over Button
- returns to the Select File to Import tab