HiFinance
4
SECTION
7.2.1.5.5 - DISCOUNT TABLE ASCII IMPORT
USAGE: To import a file
containing, all or a subset, of new or changed information to be posted to the
Discount Matrix Table. The input file is required to be in a very strictly
stylised format so that HiFinance can allocate data to the correct fields on
the correct records.
DISCUSSION: Make sure that you have a good backup of your data
and that no-one is using HiFinance during the update. HiFinance may not update
the files as you expected and the only completely safe way to correct the
mistake is to restore your data from backup.
The import file required must be called discmf.csv, although case is not important in Windows. This
file must reside in your data directory, eg \HF4DATA\COMP1. Also, the file must not be in use. This is
important because if you have created the file from a spreadsheet and have
saved it but not closed it, the file will still be locked by the spreadsheet
program and HiFinance will not be able to open it.
The input file must be in CSV format. This is a
comma-delimited file (without quotes) with one record per line.
Exporting from Excel, choosing the CVS format, will produce the correct format
automatically. Each alphanumeric field must be left justified. HiFinance will
make no attempt to remove leading spaces (for names, etc.). Numeric fields
should not have any dollar signs or commas. Do not use commas in any alpha
fields. These will be treated as a field break and HiFinance will not
import the row correctly. A blank cell will be treated as a valid entry, thus a
blank alpha cell will clear the corresponding field in the master-file and a
blank numeric cell will reset the corresponding field in the master-file to
zero. Thus if you do not wish to change a field, either delete the row, delete
the column or make sure that the cell contains the same information as the
field in the master-file currently has.
The first line of the input file must contain only
field names. These fields are mostly identical to those exported using DISCOUNT
TABLE ASCII EXPORT (see SECTION 7.2.1.5.5). In
fact the easiest way to create the initial file is to export it first using
this program with the headings option turned on. This also has the advantage of
accurately exporting the current information. There are some fields available
in the Import program, which are not created in the Export program. The full
list is detailed below. Note the use of the underscore character instead of
spaces. This format must be copied exactly.
DEBTOR_GROUP
INVENTORY_RATES_P1 ®
INVENTORY_RATES_P99
Notes:
1)
The
format of this file is different to other import file in that there must be a
whole table present to import. The heading line is ignored but it must be there
as a spacer. There must be exactly 99 lines of data. There must be exactly 100
columns. The first column is always the Debtor group number but is ignored -
but must exist as a spacer. There must then be exactly 99 fields representing
the discounts.
2)
All
discounts must be in the range 0 through 99.99 (percent).
3)
If
you try to import the raw file form the ASCII EXPORT program, it will
not read in successfully unless you choose to export with comma
delimiters between fields and without quotes around fields (numeric and
alphanumeric). This can be set in the options part of the export program.
Normally this is not the way this function is used, the purpose of this
function being to manipulate the file in a spreadsheet program and importing
the result.
When the program starts, it will firstly check
whether the import file exists and is accessible. Having established this,
HiFinance will read the first line of the file and check for its correctness.
If no obvious errors are found, you will be asked to confirm that you have made
a backup and then you will be asked to confirm that you wish to proceed.
HiFinance will then read import lines one at a time
confirming defined by the columns you have chosen. If an invalid or blank row
is encountered, the import will cease. HiFinance will continue processing until
it reaches the end of the import program. Finally the import file will be
renamed to discmf.old (to stop you from accidentally rerunning the program with used data)
before returning you the MAIN MENU.
