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Walkthrough: Importing Data from Text Files to Tables

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XMLports are used to export data from a Dynamics NAV database to a file or import data from a file to a Dynamics NAV database. The file format can be an XML document, fixed width text file, or CSV (Comma Separated Value) file. Exporting or importing data by using these file formats enables seamless exchange of data between different computer systems. When importing files to a Dynamics NAV database, you can replace an entire record or update specific fields in records that already exist in the database. You can also automatically save the data you are importing or you can manipulate the data in code before you save it.

In this walkthrough, you will import data from a fixed width text file to a Dynamics NAV database. The text file contains data will be used to update specific fields in an existing record. The data in text file will be automatically saved into the database. For information about how to export data to XML file format, see Walkthrough: Exporting Data from Tables to XML Documents. For information about how to export CSV files, see Walkthrough: Exporting Data from Tables to CSV Files.

XMLports can be called and run from codeunits or run from Object Designer. In this walkthrough, you will run the XMLport from Object Designer. For information about how to run XMLports from codeunits, see Walkthrough: Exporting Data from Tables to XML Documents.

About This Walkthrough

This walkthrough shows you how to import data from a fixed width text file and update existing records in a Dynamics NAV table. The walkthrough illustrates the following tasks:

  • Designing an XMLport that imports data from a fixed width text file to a Dynamics NAV table.

  • Setting properties to update existing records.

  • Compiling and saving the XMLport.

  • Running the XMLport in Object Designer.

Prerequisites

To complete this walkthrough, you will need:

  • Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2018 installed with a developer license.

  • The CRONUS International Ltd. demonstration database.

Story

Viktor is a Microsoft Certified Partner working for CRONUS International Ltd. Viktor’s manager has informed him that the marketing department has changed the unit price of the loud speakers in their inventory and requesting that the current unit prices in the database should be replaced with the new prices. The loud speaker information is located in the Item table. The marketing department provided the new prices in a text file. The file contains only item number values for the No. field, which is the primary key, and the new unit prices. The text file is in a fixed width text file format. Viktor’s task is to import the data in the text file into the Item table and update the unit price field. Viktor knows that he can accomplish the task by designing an XMLport that can import the data from the text file and set properties to update the existing record in the table.

The text file that the marking department provided resembles the following. You will use this file in the walkthrough.

  
LS-100      30.00  
LS-120      88.88  
LS-150      130.00  
LS-75       80.00  
LS-81       89.89  
LS-10PC     59.59

The first column is the data in the No. field, and the second column is the data that will be used to update the Unit Price field. You can view and confirm the current prices for the loud speakers in the Item table before the records are updated. For information about how to view table data, see How to: View and Sort Table Data.

Designing the XMLport

You create an XMLport by designing it in XMLport Designer and setting properties. You define the table and fields that you want to import data to in XMLport Designer. You then compile and save the XMLport.

To create the XMLport

  1. Copy and paste the text file into a text editor such as Notepad, give it a name, and save it on your computer.

  2. In the development environment, on the Tools menu, choose Object Designer.

  3. In Object Designer, choose XMLport, and then choose the New button.

  4. In XMLport Designer, in the first row, in the Node Name column, enter a name. You can enter any name but for this walkthrough you can enter ItemPrices.

  5. In the Node Type column, verify that Element is selected.

  6. In the Source Type column, verify that Text is selected. This node represents the start of the text file.

  7. In the second row, in the Node Name column, enter ItemRecord.

  8. In the Node Type column, verify that Element is selected.

  9. In the Source Type column, select Table from the drop-down list. This node represents a record in the Item table.

  10. In the Data Source column, choose the up arrow, select the Item table (27) from the Table List window and then choose the OK button. The data will be imported to the Item table.

  11. Select the ItemRecord row and use the right arrow button to indent the row one time to make it a subset of ItemsPrice element.

    The next step is to select the fields that you want to import and update. The text file contains only data that belongs in the No. field and the Unit Price field, so you will select those two fields.

  12. In the next empty row under the ItemRecord row, in the Node Type column, select Element.

  13. In the Source Type column, select Field.

  14. In the Data Source column, choose the up arrow, select the No. field from the Field Lookup window, and then choose the OK button.

  15. In the Node Name column, enter a name for the field. For example, you can enter No.. This column represents the No. field in the record. You can enter any name but because of consistency you might want to enter the name of field that you select.

    Note

    The name that you enter in the Node Name column cannot contain spaces. White space in the name will result in a compile error.

  16. Select the No. row and use the right arrow button to indent the field one time to make it a subset of the Item element.

  17. In the next empty row under the Item row, in the Node Type column, select Element.

  18. In the Source Type column, select Field.

  19. In the Data Source column, choose the arrow, select the Unit Price. field from the Field Lookup window, and then choose the OK button.

  20. In the Node Name column, enter a name for the field. For example, you can enter UnitPrice.

  21. Verify that the UnitPrice row is indented one time to make it a subset of the Item element.

Setting Properties to Import and Update Data

The next step is to set properties for the XMLport and fields you want to update.

To set properties

  1. In Object Designer, select an empty row, and on the View menu, choose Properties to open the XMLport-Properties window.

  2. In the XMLport-Properties window, locate the Direction Property, choose the arrow in the Value column and then set value to Import. This defines the XMLport to import.

  3. In the XMLport-Properties window, locate the Format Property (XMLports) property, and then set the Value column to Fixed Text. Data in fixed width text files use a specified amount of space.

  4. Select the ItemRecord row, and on the View menu, choose Properties.

  5. In the ItemRecord - Properties window, locate the AutoSave Property, and then verify that the Value column is set to Yes. This allows the data to be automatically saved to the table.to the table.

  6. Locate the AutoUpdate Property, and then set the Value column to Yes. This allows the data in the unit price field to be updated.

  7. Select the No. row, and then on the View menu, choose Properties.

  8. In the No. - Properties window, locate the Width Property (XMLport), and then set the Value column to 8. This defines the width of the No. field in the file.

  9. Select the UnitPrice row, and on the View menu, choose Properties.

  10. In the Unit Price - Properties window, locate the Width Property (XMLport), and then set the Value column to 10. This defines the width of the data in the file.

    Note

    The width that you enter must be equal or greater than the width of the data with most characters in the column. If the width of the data in the column is less than the width you specified, then the extra space is ignored.

Compiling and Saving the XMLport

After designing an XMLport, you must compile it, give it a name and ID, and then save it.

To compile and save the XMLport

  1. On the File menu, choose Save As.

  2. In the Save As window, enter 50004 in the ID text box and then enter a name for the XMLport. For example, you can enter NewItemPrice in the Name text box.

  3. Verify that the Compiled check box is selected and then choose the OK button.

Running the XMLport

In this walkthrough, you will run the XMLport from Object Designer and select the file you want to import from your computer.

To run the XMLport from Object Designer

  1. In Object Designer, select the XMLport you just created (50003), and then choose the Run button. The Edit-NewItemPrice page is displayed.

  2. On the Edit - NewItemPrice page, choose the OK button. The Import window is displayed.

  3. From the Import window, browse to the location on your computer where the file that you want to import is located.

  4. Choose the file and then choose the Open button to import the file to the database.

  5. Verify that the Unit Price fields in the records have been updated.

    Note

    You can write code in the OnBeforeModifyRecord Trigger in the C/AL code editor to indicate that the records have been updated.

Next Steps

You might want to try importing a CSV file or exporting a fixed width text file. For information about how to import CSV files, see Walkthrough: Exporting Data from Tables to CSV Files.

See Also

Designing XMLports
XMLport Walkthroughs