Duplicate Database Merge

[Mandi]

I have a dilemma... We recently switched to filemaker pro to track jobs in our department until we get a new program (Virtual Ticket) implemented. Originally, we thought it would be best to keep the two different catagories separate in two different filemaker databases, so we duplicated the exact database and have maintained different records in each one. The problem now is that we want to combine the two together, but it has container fields that will not allow it to export the records correctly. I am new to filemaker and inexperienced and cannot figure out how to make the two sets of information available on one database. The two databases are IDENTICAL but I can't get the records to import correctly. HELP!!!

[CyborgSam]

Mandi->

Welcome to the Forums!

You do not need to export the records in the database, FileMaker will import directly from a FileMaker file, which preserves the container fields. The question is: how to determine what is a duplicate & which of the two to delete? The programming of the two databases is identical, but are you positive that records have not been changed in one that were not changed in the other?

After the import, don't forget to do a Show All Records so the new ones are part of the found set...

[Mandi]

The design of the databases is identical - as far as fields and structure and that... the only thing is that each record is different, no two are the same... and i need to combine it so that the 1100 from one and 400 from another are in one database file.

[CyborgSam]

Mandi->

You can combine them by doing a simple import in one of the databases (the 1100 would be easier to import into, since there's 700 less records to import).

When the Import Field Mapping dialog appears, change the "Arrange by" popup to "matching names" This should automatically line up all the fields to import properly, but double-check to be sure.

Before doing anything, make backups so you can easily do this multiple times without sweating it.

Sam