Import Operation Save Problem

[Linda Walker]

I seem to have the same problem Alan had last March but the suggestions don't seem to apply.
I just upgraded from 4.0 (not 4.03) to 4.5 and now when I open a new database, create a table called Orders.dbf and then go to create an import operation, the operation works until I close the screen then all of the information disappears from it.

Details: I am trying to import a .txt file (with 16 fields, no headers, ~ delimited) and told the genii to create a new table and to overwrite w/o asking. It then suggested the correct structure and imported. When I save the operation and go to the tables tab, there the new second table is. But when I go back to the operations tab and click on either run or design, all of the file structure information is gone. There are no other operations, no tables, no forms, no nothing. When I try to run again it tells me there are an invalid number of fields (because the definition is lost) and refers to the trace screen which is blank. Help!

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Import Operation Save Problem

Linda, I suggest you create a single dummy table and save it in your database.

I'm guessing that with a brand new database, one that has no tables at all, when you create the first table using the import genie, it saves it to your program folder, instead of your database folder. Be careful to check the complete path for the destination of the table you are creating with the import operation.

You may find it helpful to create a table with the desired structure, and then import your data to that table, instead of creating a new one each time.

-- tom

[Linda Walker]

RE: Import Operation Save Problem

I have tried both of these and neither works. I also tried the same situation in A5 Ver 4.0 and had the same problem. My tests started with one existing table in A5 then importing to a new temp table. Then I tried opening a totally new DB to import into a new temp table. Checked paths on both. I also tried creating the table first... Same problem.

I can import a Excel spreadsheet with headers but this .txt file without headers coming from Lotus Notes does the same thing in 4.0 and 4.5. I will try adding headers to the .txt to see if it makes a difference.

The reason I wanted to do the direct import of the .txt is that whenever I bring the file into excel it does something to mangle date fields that I have been unable to correct. (I don't want my user to have to manually set the date fields at Excel for every import and again coming into A5 in the imports.) Plus, I wanted to just bring the raw .txt file into A5 temp table, append to the final table and add the data fields I need automatically instead of having to do it all in Excel manually first.

Isn't e-commerce fun?

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Import Operation Save Problem

Linda, perhaps there's something in the 'text file' that's making Alpha Five unhappy. -- tom