Import from Excel

[mhemans]

I am importing files from a pre-formatted Excel file. If only a couple of rows are filled in with info, and the rest of the fields are blank, but still formatted, Can I get FM to ignore the blank rows upon import?

[Lee Smith]

Hi mhemans,

I'm have trouble figuring out how can you know that the fields are formatted if they are blank? Could you mean that the records are blank?

Excel exports separate records by rows, and fields by columns.

Each row that has data in any of the columns will be imported as a record.

Any row that is all blank, but is followed by rows that have data will be treated as a record (i.e. producing a blank record). I Hope that isn't too confusing.

HTH

Lee

[mhemans]

They are formatted to include formulas for the Excel user. For example, column Z has a formula set in 43 rows. If data is only entered into the first 3 rows, FM still sees all 43 rows, and not just the 3 that have data. I don't want to have to import the extra 40 rows and then delete 40 records from FM.

Hope that wasn't too confusing.

[Lee Smith]

I don't think you have many choices here. Either you clear the field in Excel before export, or do a find for equal sign (=) in the field in FileMaker and Delete Found Set. I prefer to this in Excel, as if gives you a visual look to help ensure you are not deleting records you want to keep.

HTH

Lee

[mhemans]

That is what I thought. Thanks for the help.

[karen_kitch]

Have you thought about using the "update matching records in current found set add remaining records"

This would make it so that you only have to delete one blank record instead of 40.

I know it's still a pain though, and you would have to have unique data for one field in those three records that you could use as the "matching" field. I'm not sure what you're using it for so this way might not work for you.