Add New Fields & Import Old Data Problem

[Totes]

Hello,

Another newbie question for everyone…

I have been messing around with this problem but it has me confused.

I have a db with lets say 12 fields on my layout (old db)…I then make an update to the db and add 2 new fields to the layout (new db).

I now need to update the new db with data from the old one. I have tried to use “Import Records / File” but it seems that any field that I have a calculation in does not transfer.

Can someone shed some light on this, I cant find any post which describes this in newbie terms:…what are other problems I need to look out for when attempting to move data over to the new db?

Thanks Again

James

Edited January 26, 2007 by Guest

[mr_vodka]

Are you trying to transfer a calc field to another calc field in the new table? If so that wont work of course. You can import calc field values into a text or number field though.

[Totes]

Hello Mr. V,

Yes it is the calc field on the old layout...Im am attempting to move the data in the (same) field over to the new layout.

So if I cant move data from a calc field. over to the new db and the same calc field how do you move data when you make a change to a db layout.

Or: If I create a db for you (and I have 10 calc fields) and then two months later you want another field added (lets say a text field for your cats name)...how do I get all the data from the old db (calc fields)into the new db (of course I understand no data will be inserted into the new "Cat Name" field I just created)I just want to get all the old 10 calc fields data moved to the new layout.

From the first view it seems like it cant be done, since the calcs will not move. I would assume that on a small db you could reset them manually, but what happens when you construct a very large db with many, many calc fields?

Thank you,

James

Edited January 26, 2007 by Guest

[comment]

Something doesn't make sense here. A calculation field does not hold DATA. It holds a formula (or a formula and its result - if the field is stored). Only REAL data needs to be imported. During import, the calculation fields in the new file will be evaluated, and everything will be the same again.

[Totes]

Comment,

Forgive me if Im stating this question worng.

You are correct, I was in a hurry going out the door this morning when I typed that.

Here is one problem Im having:

I have a simple db that contains standard stuff like name, address, phone etc.

when a record is created in this db, there is a date field that gets the current date and inserts it into that field so the user does not have to enter the date manually.

Now, when I make changes to the layout and then move the data over to the new db, that date field (for one) does not show the date that was on the old db…it is empty on the new db.

So what I have is the old db with the date field showing the “GetCurrentDate” of 01/25/2007

And the new db with the data moved over…and that date field is now empty.

Am I making sense?

Thanks (sorry for the newbie way of stating the problem)

James

[mr_vodka]

Precisely. Just as Comment said, calcs are just that. They calculate a value based off the data that already exists in the database or predefined formulas.

You do not need to import your calculations over. You need to immport your data over and have the same calculations in the new one.

[mr_vodka]

I dont think you should be using a calc field for Creation date anyway. You should be using a date field with an auto-entry of calculated value Get ( CurrentDate ). Leave the default of 'Do not replace existing value' Checked.

[comment]

If you have auto-entered fields (creation/modification date, serial numbers, looked up data, etc.) that you need to keep, then include them in your import, and turn the "Perform auto-enter options while importing' feature OFF.

[mr_vodka]

If I create a db for you (and I have 10 calc fields) and then two months later you want another field added (lets say a text field for your cats name)...how do I get all the data from the old db (calc fields)into the new db (of course I understand no data will be inserted into the new "Cat Name" field I just created)I just want to get all the old 10 calc fields data moved to the new layout.

Why would you need to do this each time after you create a new field? I am a little confused.

[comment]

I think James is describing a developer - client situation?

[Totes]

Comment,

Yes you are correct, I was describing a developer-client relationship.

Im sorry, I know I am not posing my question correctly...so let me get home this afternoon and sit down and repost hopefully better describing my problems.

Thanks a bunch