VISUAL QUICKPRO GUIDE FileMaker Pro 7 Advanced FOR WINDOWS AND MACINTOSH [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Batch-Importing

One of the most tedious tasks in the database world is having to transfer information from another program to FileMaker one item at a time. That's how FileMaker users once had to import groups of files. You could cut and paste individual text blocks, or you could import images or media into container fields one by one. With batch-importingthe ability to import the entire contents of a folder into an existing databaseFileMaker becomes a powerful asset-management tool for everything from Web sites to retail inventory.

To import multiple files in a folder

1 .Choose File > Import Records > Folder.

2 .The Folder of Files Import Options dialog box appears. In the Folder Location section, click Specify (Figure 12.14).

If there are subfolders with content that you also want to import, check the "Include all enclosed folders" check box before you click Specify.

3 .In the Choose a Folder dialog box, navigate to the folder whose contents you want to import. Click Choose to select the folder and return to the previous dialog box.

4 .In the File Type section, click to select the type of file you want to import, then click Continue.

5 .

When the Import Field Mapping dialog box appears, match the image information with the fields that will hold it (Figure 12.15). Click Import.

The Import dialog box will appear, giving you a status bar of your files as they are transferred to the file.

Tips

If you've saved space by importing only the path reference for an image, you can still see the image quickly. In Browse mode, right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS X) the path to bring up a contextual menu that will let you open the file in the appropriate application.

Unfortunately, without a third-party plug-in, there's no way to import just an image thumbnail without importing the image as well. Batch-import them both, then go to Define > Database and select the Fields tab. Highlight the image and click Delete, When the confirmation dialog box appears, click Delete. The field and all the imported images will disappear, leaving only the image thumbnails, and a much tinier database.