Multiple file imports

[junebug172]

I have a flat database set up that requires information from 4 different excel files. I currently merge all the files into one excel spreadsheet with 5 worksheets but I'd like to use Filemaker instead for database management.

So, is it possible to import my roster (main part of DB), then import the rest of the files and have them merge into the appropriate member's file?

[Fenton]

If you have IDs (or uniform names for people) assigned in the Excel SS's,then you should have no trouble. You can import from a named worksheet, as well as from an 1-worksheet Excel file, with Import matching of fields to columns. I'm not sure what you're asking exactly however.

[junebug172]

I want to be able to use data from different excel files and import it into one filemaker file.

I have a roster file in excel that I use for members, and I have another excel file that has dues and other bits of info. I want to be able to view all this data in one table.

[Fenton]

I don't really see what the problem is that you're asking about. It is fairly easy to do a 1-time import into FileMaker from Excel worksheets; you can even import named ranges. Or, if you have no FileMaker file yet, just Open the main Excel spreadsheet with FileMaker; it will create the table and fields (named for the columns); though this may not be the correct relational structure; you can move a few fields to another table later. So I'm kind of wondering what you're asking.

Now, about viewing it in one table. I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "view." You can view data from several tables at once in one central table, in separate portals. My opinion is that structure is determined by the data and its uses. If you insist on sticking data in one table when it should be in several, you will pay the price, sooner or later. It is not, contary to beginners' beliefs, simpler to jam things together than to build the correct structure. It takes only minutes to create a table, and a couple more to tie it to another with a relationship.

[transpower]

You can import multiple Excel spread-sheets into one FileMaker table. Just be sure to select the correct Excel range and FileMaker fields for the import!