Auto Enter during Import

[hall312]

Every week I receive an excel spreadsheet with cases that I import into FileMaker. The excel sheet adds the new cases to the previous weeks' cases. So the sheet keeps growing as new are added. I want the new cases (upon import into FileMaker) to auto enter "Open" in my case status dropdown list. I tried using auto enter data but am having odd results. Often cases that are closed and several years old will show "open" and the new cases will show "Closed". I can't find a pattern to the old cases showing open, so it appears random. Also once the case is closed in the database, I don't want it to show open again on the next import. Any suggestions?

[Sara Severson]

Hi,

Make sure when importing that you only have "Add New Records" checked, not "Update Existing Records" or "Update Matching Records." This should eliminate any over-writing of information (turning previously closed records to "open").

I'm not sure why the auto-enter of "open" wouldn't always work, though. The field is defined to auto-enter Data? Do be sure to check the "perform auto-enter options when importing" box, during the import dialog. If you're spotty on this step, it would explain inconsistent data.

[hall312]

Thanks Sara. I was updating existing records in an attempt for the wrong purpose. The combination of your advice and validate unique value gave me what I was looking for. Thanks again.