User manual

Chapter 5 | Sharing and exchanging data 124
About the importing process
The basic steps for importing records are:
1. Make a backup copy of the target file you’re importing into.
2. If the source file is a FileMaker Pro file, perform a find so that the found set in the current window
contains only the records you want to import.
3. Open the target file, and if it has multiple tables, select a layout that shows records from the
table you want to import data into.
The layout doesn’t have to display all the fields in the table. You will be able to specify the fields
that you want to import to in the Import Field Mapping dialog box.
4. If you’re updating existing or matching records, make sure the found set in the target file
contains only the records you want to change or update.
5. Choose File menu > Import Records > File, and choose the name of the file that contains the
data you want to import (the source file).
6. In the Import Field Mapping dialog box, if necessary, select a table from the Source list.
7. Accept the table shown in the Target drop-down list, or select New Table to create a table with
the same schema as the source table.
8. Select the type of import to perform. See “Methods of importing data into an existing file” on
page 122.
9. Map the fields in the source file to the fields in the target file.
Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file
You can convert a data file from another application into a new FileMaker Pro file. The converted
file will contain:
1 The data from the file or source you convert
1 Two layouts for displaying the data
Fields in the
source file
Fields in the
target file
Arrows show that data will
import into the fields at right
Select an import action
Select a table to
import from
indicates match fields
Import to Current Table or
New Table