Open topic with navigation
Users > CSV Files Import and Export
|
CSV Files Import and Export
|
The
CSV Import/Export feature allows the ability to import or export card
files that are saved in a CSV (Comma Separated Value) format. Importing/exporting
data between two applications allows the ability for the two application
to share data. CSV files can be edited in most applications (Excel, NotePad,
etc.). You will use the CSV Import/Export feature if:
•
You are
upgrading from EntraPass DOS or WinPass 64 and you want to retrieve the
cards created in these previous versions.
•
Your company
desires to import the card database information into the payroll system.
Using the Import/Export feature will save a considerable amount of time
in setting up the card holder database.
•
Your company
has a new database: instead of having to reprogram all the information
already available in the card database, the system administrator could
export the data contained in the card database (names, departments, card
numbers, etc.) into a CSV file that can be imported into the target database.
Note:
The CSV Import/Export
feature imposes a number of rules: each field contains a specific value
format that has to be respected. For example, the card state field will
only accept the following values (0=valid, 1=invalid, 2=stolen/lost).
To
Import/Export card information, you may use Kantech pre-defined patterns
or you may create your custom patterns.
Using
a Predefined Pattern
Two
patterns are available: the EntraPass (1,2,3) and the WinPass64 model.
You may use the template “as is” or you may edit it.
1 -
From the
Users
toolbar,
select the
CSV file
button.
2 -
From the
drop-down
list, select either
or
.
3 -
In the
pane,
select the pattern you wish to use. This depends on the software you are
upgrading from.
4 -
Use the
pattern
button if you want to edit the pattern.
Creating
a New Import/Export Pattern
This
menu lets you create your own import/export mask that will be used to
import or export CSV files.
1 -
From the
toolbar,
select
button.
The system displays the Import / Export CSV file window.
2 -
From the
Import/Export
CSV file
window,
click on
.
The New pattern window displays a list of all the fields that are available
in the EntraPass card databases. They contain specific value formats that
have to be respected. For example, the card state field will only accept
the following values (0=valid, 1=invalid, 2=stolen/lost).
3 -
Double-clicking
on the
available fields
or
using the
left
and
right
buttons
moves the field back and forth. Once the fields are selected, you can
use the
red
arrows
to organize information (this will indicate how information will be arranged
in the CSV file).
Note:
The
card number must always be selected for every pattern including a specific
card. For example, if you select the field
Card #3 - Stolen/Lost
,
you must also select the field
Card #3 - Card Number
.
4 -
Specify
the
and
.
These codes are used by the system to identify, when importing a file,
which card has to be modified or added to the card database. Default add
code is “+” and default modification code is “+”.
5 -
Select
the
.
This code is used by the system to identify, when importing a file, which
card has to be removed from the card database. Default delete code is
“-”. Field separators can be: tab, space, comma, semicolon (;) and other.
6 -
Select
the
.
This code will be used to separate the selected fields when importing
or exporting data. Usually a comma (,) is selected. Keep this in mind
when adding users’ last names and first names separated by a commas.
7 -
Select
the
.
The date will be exported or imported according to the specified format.
The most commonly used format is YYYY/MM/DD. Other date formats are:
•
MM/DD/YYYY
•
DD/MM/YYYY
•
YY/MM/DD
•
MM/DD/YY
•
DD/MM/YY
Note:
The
Use DLL
feature
allows you to enable a program that will convert specific card numbers.
You may use the
Remove DLL
when you do not wish to enable the program that converts card numbers.
8 -
Click
to exist the pattern window and to specify the new pattern name.
9 -
Enter
the pattern name, then click
.
The system automatically returns to the Export/Import CSV file window.
The pattern you have just created is displayed in the
list.
10 -
If you
want to add or remove fields from your pattern, double-click the new pattern
to edit and make the necessary modifications. Now you can import or export
your information using the new pattern you have just created.
Exporting
Cards
Your
organization may need to export the card database data into another application.
You may use a predefined template or create a custom template.
1 -
From the
toolbar,
select the
button.
The system displays the Import / Export CSV file window.
2 -
From the
drop-down
list, select
.
3 - From the list
(left-hand pane), select the pattern you want to use when exporting cards.
If necessary, you may edit the pattern so that it matches the target application
pattern, else, you may create a new one. (For more information on how
to create a pattern, see Creating
a New Import/Export Pattern).
4 -
For the
,
then select the folder in which EntraPass will save the card database
content. You can open the CSV file in Excel, NotePad, etc.
5 -
Once you
have selected/created an export folder, click
to
return to the Import / Export CSV file window.
6 -
Click
the
button;
it is enabled once the transaction file is selected. The system displays
a window allowing you to filter the cards you want to export.
Note:
For cards
to be included in your file, they must match all the selected filters,
if one or more filters are not matched, the card will not be included.
7 -
In the
Export Card’s filter window, specify the cards you want to export. Once
you have made all your selections, click the
button. The Import / Export CSV file window appears.
Note:
The
Transaction file
field
shows the target file name and location. By default, the export file is
saved in the specified folder (Exportdata, in this example). The status
bar (lower part of the window), shows the number of imported cards (1,
in this example). The default name is YYYYMMDD.csv. You can open the target
file with NotePad for instance.
Importing
Cards
1 -
From the
toolbar,
select the
button.
The Import / Export CSV file dialog will display on screen.
2 -
In the
drop-down list, select Import.
3 - Click the button
to select the pattern that will be used to import the cards information
(for more information on how to create a pattern, Creating
a New Import/Export Pattern).
4 -
For the
three-dot,
browse your hard drive to the CSV file that contains the data to import
into the card database
5 -
Once the
file has been selected, click
.
You will return to the Import / export CSV file window.
6 -
If no
errors are present (or once you have corrected errors), click
to
complete the operation.
Note:
The system
scans the file to be imported; then it displays the results using a colour
code. Each entry is identified by a colour flag. A yellow or red flag identifies
an entry in error. Errors are frequently caused by the patterns. You have
to select another pattern or edit the pattern you are using so that the
pattern entries have to match the source file entries. There may be errors
also even if the transaction code is identified by a green flag.
Correcting
Import/Export Errors
The
CSV Import/Export feature imposes a number of rules: each field contains
a specific value format that has to be respected. For example, the card
state field will only accept the following values (0=valid, 1=invalid,
2=stolen/lost). The pattern used has to match the pattern used by the
source file. The present section will assist you in correcting import/export
errors.
1 -
Click
the
button
to start the transaction (the following example illustrates a case of
importing CSV data). The lower part of the window displays the number
of cards in the list.
Note:
Although
entries in the
Transaction code
column
are identified with a green flag, the
Card number
column
is empty. This indicates problems in the pattern conversion.
2 -
Click
the
button.
Note:
The
Error
button
is enabled because the system encountered problems during the import transaction.
3 -
You may
click the
button
to display information about the error. The Process error window shows
that the pattern used is invalid.
4 -
Click
the
button to go back to the Import Export window.
5 -
In the
Import/Export CSV window, double-click the pattern you have used for the
Import transaction (Custom, in the example above).
6 -
From the
drop-down
list, select
as
the field separator, then click
Data
in the
field
indicates that the import transaction will be successful.