Importing & Repeating Fields

[Jamie Dahlstrom]

How's it going? I'm trying to get my database to import FedEx tracking numbers. I have the import set to update matching records by invoice(reference) number and then import the tracking number accordingly. The files I'm importing is a CSV file containing just our tracking numbers and the corresponding invoice numbers. I have the tracking numbers going into a repeating field and I can import the data with no problems, except when I have multiple tracking numbers(sometimes as many as 70) for one invoice. The numbers will only import into the first field. Is there any way to get the tracking numbers to import into the repeating fields? Or will I need to make multiple tracking # fields? Maybe a change in the formatting of the CSV file? Hopefully I've explained my problem clearly. Any ideas or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

Jamie

[-Queue-]

Duplicate Post. Please delete.

[Jamie Dahlstrom]

Sorry for the "Duplicate Post", but I thought it might be a good idea to post my question in the appropriate category when I realized there was an Import/Export forum. I also added some more information about what I was doing so people would understand what I was trying to do in the first place. Oh yeah, thanks for looking at both my post and replying. You're really helpful Queue.

[Lee Smith]

Hi Jamie, and Welcome to the Forum.

As JT (-queue-) has stated, you shouldn't Double Post in the Forum. There are many reason for this, but basically it comes down to being a waste of everybody's time. This is really just one list, with several areas of interest or topics. Posting the same question in more than area requires all of us who read and answer the questions, to have read all of the posts to be sure they are actually duplicates, or if they happen to have the same subject, but are different. Things really become confusing when answers are being posted in more than one places at the same time, it becomes impossible to follow, especially for those who are new to FileMaker, and they are usually the ones asking the question. Couple that with the fact that there is usually more than one way to "Skin the Cat" in FileMaker, well I think you get the picture.

I have to disagree with JT here though. I think the other post, the one in the General Discussion area, should be the one deleted, and leave this one. The reason being is that we encourage that you post your questions to a Topic area that represents the FileMaker Feature involved, rather than to one of the General Discussion areas.

HTH

Lee

[Jamie Dahlstrom]

Thanks Lee. My first post has now been deleted. Am I going to have to make separate fields for all my tracking numbers that are on the same invoice the use set field to get those numbers into a repeating field, or can you think of another way? Seems like entering it all in by hand would be faster for orders with multiple Tracking #'s at this point. Any advice?

[Lee Smith]

I hope this doesn't confuse matters worse, but these are the post in General Discussions >> FileMaker Pro 7, the other post.

transpower [color:"blue"]

NOTE: this is in response to Jamie Dahlstrom

Import the second tracking number into another field. Then Set Field repetition 2 with the value of that other field.

and

Jamie Dahlstrom [color:"blue"]

NOTE: this is in response to transpower

If I do it that way, I'd need an extra field for every tracking number falling under the same invoice, correct? Then I'd have to go through each record I'm importing and change the field mapping for each record to get the tracking numbers into their appropriate fields? There's got to be an easier way than the way I have this set up. Guess I gotta squeeze my noggin a little bit harder.

[-Queue-]

I have to disagree with JT here though. I think the other post, the one in the General Discussion area, should be the one deleted, and leave this one. The reason being is that we encourage that you post your questions to a Topic area that represents the FileMaker Feature involved, rather than to one of the General Discussion areas.

I don't disagree with that, Lee. I just marked this one as a duplicate, because it was. The other one was posted an hour before this one.

Jamie, there are several of us who don't think it necessary to respond to a duplicated post if the poster doesn't think it necessary to read the forum rules before posting. And duplication is often an encouragement for us not to answer immediately. Be it good or bad, that's just the way it is.

You wouldn't have liked my answer anyway. I would have said don't use repeating fields for this situation unless you want to make your life more difficult. Look into using a related file, with one record for each tracking number, instead.

[Lee Smith]

Hi JT,

Oops

The other one was posted an hour before this one.

I missed that. I guess I was too busy shaking my head from the other posts there.

... I would have said don't use repeating fields .

I agree with this statement

Lee