Import Records script step

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Import Records script step

Format


Import Records [No dialog; "<source or filename>"; Add/Update existing/Update matching; <platform and character set>]

Options

Perform without dialog prevents display of import-related dialog boxes when the script step executes. However, if a data source file has not been specified, the Open File dialog box will be displayed.

Specify data source lets you choose the file or source of the data to be imported. Depending on the file or source you choose, a dialog box may appear for specifying the following additional options:

When you choose this file or source

Do this

File

In the Specify File dialog box, choose the file you want to import, or type file paths directly into the list. Specify one path per line. FileMaker Pro will use the first path it locates as the file to import. See Creating file paths.

Folder

In the Folder of Files Import Options dialog box, choose the folder of image or text files that you want to import, or type the folder paths directly into the list. Specify one path per line. FileMaker Pro will use the first path it locates as the folder to import. For more information, see Importing a folder of files all at once and Creating file paths.

Digital Camera (Mac OS)

In the FileMaker Pro Photo Import Options dialog box, choose your camera or other image device, and choose how you want to download and import the photos. For more information, see Importing photos from a digital camera or other device (Mac OS).

XML Data

In the Specify XML and XSL Options dialog box, choose the source of the XML data that you want to import, and choose an XSLT style sheet if you want to apply one prior to import. The XML and XSLT source may be a file or the result of an HTTP request, or a calculation that generates a file path or an HTTP request. For more information, see Importing XML data.

ODBC Data

Specify the data source name and location, the user ID and password (if any), and the SQL query to be executed. You can enter a query directly or specify a calculation to generate the query. For more information, see Automating ODBC import using the Import Records script step.

Specify import order tells FileMaker Pro to use a predefined import order. The last import order used in the file appears as the default and can be edited. This option also lets you choose whether to keep repeating field data together or to split repeating fields into separate records, as well as whether to add new records, replace data in the current found set, or import data as a new table.

Note When import source fields and target fields are mapped using matching names, field name matching is performed dynamically each time the script step is performed.

Web compatibility

This script step is not web-compatible.

Description

Imports records from another file or data source you specify. You can set the import order and use the Specify import order option, or perform the step with the dialog box so the user can set new criteria, such as importing data as a new table.

If the source file is open, the found set is imported; if not, all records in the source table are imported.

When you use this script step to import an XML data file:

your file path must be the absolute path to your data file

you can use variables in the file path

use different syntax for Windows and Mac OS. For Windows, follow the syntax file:///[full path to file]. For Mac OS, follow the syntax file:///volumes/[full path to file]. If you use a variable in the file path, it must generate the proper syntax.

Example


Go to Layout ["Layout #4"]
Import Records [No dialog; "Contacts"; Add; Mac Roman]

Related topics

Export Records script step

Script steps reference (alphabetical list)

Script step categories

Contents > Script steps reference (alphabetical list) > Records script steps > Import Records script step