Navigation:  Importing > Locations

Importing a list of locations into the locator is a simple process.  Preparing your list for the correct format can be challenging in some cases.  We'll help you get your list in order with the following tutorial...

 

In order to import your list into the locator, you'll need to create a comma separated values (CSV) file.  A CSV file is a simple text files with one record per line, and each field is separated by a comma.  Much like this...

Bob Smith,123 Main Street,Dallas,Texas
Jane Doe,775 Euclid Drive,Phoenix,Arizona

See how each record above is on it's own line and each field is separated by a comma.

 

Question: Can I import my list from a MS Excel file?

Answer: No.  Not your Excel (xls) file.  But, you can save your Excel file as a .csv file that will import just fine.  Use 'File' - 'Save As' to export into a CSV file.

 

If you have a list of locations in MS Excel, you are half way home.  You can easily modify your excel list into the correct format by adding the extra column fields needed.  Each record must consist of all 33 fields.

 

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Record Fields:
Each record in your import file must contain all 33 fields.  Here are the names of each field...

 

 

You can download a sample MS Excel and CSV file.  You can use these sample files to start your own list correctly!

 

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Steps to Importing

 

On the Admin Panel navigation menu, click on the link under 'Records' that says "Import Records'.  Once you get to the Import Records screen, you'll see a few options.  They are...

1.  Select File
       You have the option to selecting a file that is already on the server inside the /dbackup directory

or

2.  Upload a New File
       Click the 'browse' button to select a file that is on your computer

 

If you have a large import file (over 2MB) then you should FTP your file to your server, in the /locator/dbackup folder, give it a name that starts with Locations, then select it from this list.

 

 

 

Once you have chosen your csv file that you wish to import, you can choose which action you want to perform while importing.  Your choices are.

Append - which will add all locations on the import list to the current list in the database. Nothing gets erased.

Overwrite - which will erase all current locations in the database first (deleting all records), then import the locations from your list into the database as a new/fresh database of locations.

 

 

After the Import Routine has completed,  you'll get a confirmation screen that will inform you on how many records successfully imported and how many records were invalid and didn't import.

 

 

 

Special Note:

It is very important that your import file has all fields necessary to populate the locations table.  A quick scan is performed during an import and the number of fields is verified.  If your import has more than or less than the correct number of fields (which is 33), import will skip those records and they will not get imported.  See the top of this page for the layout of fields necessary to import.

 

Attn: MAC Users:

If you are using a MAC computer, and are planning on importing your locations from a file, there is one step you must do before your import will work correctly.  If you have a list of locations in MS excel and then save the file as a CSV file, you must also choose the "Windows Text" option.  Your text file must be saved with Windows ANSI file formatting.  Choosing the Windows Text option should do this for you.

 

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