Tutorial

Lesson 12 | Sharing and exchanging data 76
About importing data
There are several ways to import data into an existing file. You can:
1 add new records to an existing table
1 create a new table from imported data
1 update existing records in an existing table
1 update matching records in an existing table
Important Certain import operations that update existing records and update matching records
overwrite existing data during the import process, which cannot be undone. To safeguard your
data, always choose File menu > Save a Copy As to make a backup of the file before you perform
an import that updates records.
The file you import records from is the source. The file you import records to is the target.
Import data into the sample file
1. In Sample Copy.fmp12, select Data Entry from the Layout pop-up menu, if it is not already
selected.
2. Choose File menu > Import Records > File.
3. For Files of type (Windows) or Show (Mac OS), choose All files (Windows) or All Available
(Mac
OS), then choose MyFile.fmp12 in the Tutorial folder.
MyFile.fmp12 is the file you created in lesson 4 and the source file for this data import exercise.
4. Click Open.
The Import Field Mapping dialog box appears.
5. For Target, select Current Table (“Customers”).
6. For Import Action, select Add new records.
7. Make sure that the First Name field under Source Fields is on the same row as the First Name
field under Target Fields.
You can move target fields up and down in the list using the slider. Place the pointer over
the double-arrow to activate the slider.
8. Repeat step 7 for Last Name.