Importing data from an external database into an application

About this task

When you create a DCR and use it with fields that connect to an external database, you can create new database records from within your Domino® Designer application. In order to display existing records from the external database in your Designer application, you must import the records into your database. Before you begin you must already have at least one DCR and at least one associated form with fields that connect to an external database.

Procedure

  1. Follow the steps to create a database connection resource and associate it with a form containing external fields.
  2. Select Application Properties in the Applications Navigator.

  3. In the middle pane, click the Application Properties-Basics tab.
  4. Make sure that "Allow connections to external databases using DCRs" is NOT checked.
  5. Close and reopen the database.
  6. Select Data-Data Connections in the Applications Navigator.
  7. Select the DCR that describes the records you want to import and click the "Import external records" button.

    Designer displays a list of forms containing external fields.

  8. Select the form that describes the records you want to import and click OK.

    A DECS Administrator dialog box asks you to confirm your request to create documents based on that form using the specified key field.

  9. Click Yes to create the documents.

    A dialog confirms the number of documents imported into the database. To view the documents, open the database in the Notes® client.

Results

Note: Before you add or edit records, you must enable the "Allow connections to external databases using DCRs" database property.