Hope this isn't too stupid a question, I'm no database expert. I need to update/combine a database with new information. I constructed a database (extremely basic voter information for a school levy) we acquired from the board of elections. I imported it directly into Filemaker and manually added phone numbers that we needed for contact info (phone numbers are not included in the original data we purchase). Each year, we get a new database from the Bd. of Elections and I need to update the phone numbers (along with a few other simple fields). Is there any way to match up the old information (name, address, phone) with the new voter data matched to the correct name, address and a currently blank phone field? The old way was in Excel and I just copied the phones to the correct name/address and it took forever.

I don't have anything fancy in this database. It is essentially a flat file--no relationships. I want to know that I can keep this updated before I try anything advanced.

You can do an update via an import. If you do not have a Voter ID in the data you get. Maake a new field in both the old and new databases. Make it a calculated text field = Name & " " & Address. Using this field you can import the phone numbers where these fields match.

Looks like it's going to work! Thanks much Ralph.

I tend to avoid import-updates, I find the process too opaque and lacking in control -- too much data can get changed.

Instead, I get the new data into a FMP file (or table) then relate the old with the new. I then use the calculated replaces (or scripted loops and Set Fields) to update the records. I sometimes put the updated data into a new field so I can viw the old and new information side by side. Sometimes just putting the related fileds on the layout is sufficient.

I like the metod because it allows much more control and can be viewed, tested and reversed easily if necessary.

Delete the relationship when it's done.