Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Sometimes you don't care about some of the fields in your source file (maybe it includes a
Fax Number for each customer, and you don't need that particular value). Between each
source and destination field, you see one of two symbols: an arrow or a line. The arrow
means FileMaker plans to import the data on the left side into the field on the right. A line
tells FileMaker to ignore this particular piece of data in the import file. Click an arrow to
change it to a line, or vice versa. Just make sure there's a line next to the field or fields you
don't want to import. (You sometimes see
other
symbols between fields, but they show up
only when you change the Import Action setting. You'll learn about that on
Importing over
NOTE
If you forget what the importing icons mean, never fear. The Import Field Mapping window has a
legend at the bottom right.
For the sake of illustration, here's the simple rundown on how importing works:
1.
Go to a layout in your file that contains fields from the table you want to import
data into
.
The target table is based on the table used for the active layout. FileMaker is rather
unwilling to let you choose a different table as a target, although it will let you import
records into a new table.
2.
Choose File
→
Import Records
→
File
.
FileMaker can import data from all kinds of sources. In this case, you're telling it you
want to import records from a
file
. When you choose this command, the standard
Open File dialog box appears.
3.
Choose the file you want to import and then click Open
.
The Import Field Mapping dialog box pops up.
4.
Drag the fields in the target field list on the right so they line up properly with
the input data on the left
.
As you drag, you can ignore the field mapping arrows completely. You can fix them
once you've got the fields in the right order.
