Importing records

The import tool imports data from text files into HCL Compass databases.

Procedure

To import data, follow these steps:
  1. Select File > Import > Records. The import tool wizard begins.
  2. On the Select connection panel (if needed), select an existing connection or specify a new one.
  3. On the Select record type panel, select a record type (for example, defect). Then, check whether you want to import the record, the history, and any attachments.
  4. On the Specify file names panel, specify import source file names. Default names, which you can change, are displayed for the record, history, and attachment files. You can also specify field delimiters and file names for log files.
  5. On the Import settings panel, specify the following information:
    1. Import duplicates - check if you want to import references to duplicate IDs. The Duplicate ID Field is the field name from the import source file that contains information about duplicate records.
    2. Import update to existing records - if you check this box, the import tool updates an existing record if needed before creating a new record from the import record.
    3. Record linkage - the Original Record ID field is the name of a field in the target database. The import tool uses the information in this field to associate history, attachment, and duplicate information with the correct data record. This field is required if you choose to import duplicates or updates to existing records.
    4. Import record states - if you check this box, record state information will be imported. If you do not check this box, the imported record is set to the Submit state. If you choose to import record states, the state field for the target database is included in the mapping table (which appears in the next step).
  6. On the Configure record field mappings panel, field names from the import file are mapped to field names in the schema of the target database.
  7. On the Configure history field mappings panel, you can configure history field mappings according to field data type.
  8. Finally, the Summary panel is displayed so that you can review the settings for the import operation. Check Save configuration if you want to save the configuration you have set up. Click Finish to begin the import operation.