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The importdatabase statement imports data from another database into the current database.

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Parameters

This statement has three parameters:

database – database to import. (Note: You cannot import from the current database into itself.)

option – An option for customizing the way import works. See below for descriptions of each option. The option can be specified in either upper or lower case.

value – The new value for this option.

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Description

This statement imports data from another database (which must currently be open) into the current database. In its simplest form you simply specify the database to be imported:

importdatabase "CompanyContacts"

The importdatabase statement normally appends the new data to the existing data in the current database. It puts the data from the first field in the imported database into the first field in the current database, the second field into the second, etc. If there are more fields in the imported database, the extra fields are ignored. You can change some of this behaviour with the options described below.

IMPORT OPTIONS

In addition to the text to import, you can also specify multiple option/value pairs in a single importdatabase statement, like this:

importdatabase database,option1,value1,option2,value2,option3,value3

The possible options are existingdata, matchingfields and selected. Each of these options is described in detail below.

EXISTINGDATA

The importdatabase statement normally appends the imported data to the end of the current database. You can use this option to tell it to replace the data instead.

importdatabase "Presidents","ExistingData","Replace"

Be careful! This will erase all of the existing data in the database! (Note: The replace option is not available for shared multi-user databases, attempting to use this option will cause an error.)

If you want to append the imported data, use append instead of replace (or just leave this option off).

MATCHINGFIELDS

As described above, the importdatabase statement normally imports the fields in sequential order – the first field in the imported database is brought into the first field in the current database, the second field into the second field, etc. If the matchingfields option is set to true, however, the import will match the fields by name. For each field in the current database, it will look for a field with the same name in the imported database and bring that data in. It doesn’t matter what the order of the fields in either database. However, the field names must match exactly, including upper and lower case, punctuation and spacing.

importdatabase “OldGeneralLedger”,“MatchingFields”,“YES”

SELECTED

The importdatabase statement normally imports ALL of the data in the imported database – whether it is currently selected (visible) or not. If you want to import only the selected records, use this option.

importdatabase "Transaction Log","Selected","YES"

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See Also

• @import --
• Importing a Panorama 6 Database -- Importing a Panorama 6 Database
• addfield -- adds a new field to the current database (on the end).
• addlines -- adds a specified number of records to the end of a database.
• addrecord -- adds a new record at the end of the current database.
• arraybuild -- builds an array by scanning a database and creating an array element for every record (including invisible records) in the database (see Text Arrays).
• arraybuild( -- builds an array by scanning a database and creating an array element for every record (including invisible records) in the database (see Text Arrays).
• arrayselectedbuild -- builds an array by scanning a database and creating an array element for every visible (selected) record in the database (see Text Arrays).
• arrayselectedbuild( -- builds an array by scanning a database and creating an array element for every visible (selected) record in the database (see Text Arrays).
• autoallfieldwidths -- automatically sets the width of all fields based on the data in each field.
• autofieldwidth -- automatically sets the width of the current field based on the data in it.
• automaticfieldchoices -- updates the current field's Choice list with actual data in the database.
• Auxiliary Databases -- automatically opening multiple databases associated with each other.
• cell -- enters a value into the currently active field (i.e. cell).
• checkdesignlock -- checks if field structure can be changed, if not, returns an error.
• clearcell -- deletes the contents of the current field.
• clearrecord -- deletes the currently selected record.
• closedatabase -- closes a specified database.
• closefile -- closes the current database.
• commonfieldspopup -- pops up a list of common fields, and changes the current field specifications when a field is chosen from this menu.
• constructfields -- creates one or more new fields based on a template.
• copycell -- copies the contents of the current field onto the clipboard, replacing anything previously on the clipboard.
• copyrecord -- copies the contents of the current record onto the clipboard.
• Creating a New Database -- creating a new database.
• Custom Database Initialization -- using an .Initialize procedure to automatically run custom code when a database opens.
• cutcell -- delete the contents of the current cell and places the deleted data on the clipboard.
• cutline -- copies the current record to the clipboard and deletes it.
• cutrecord -- copies the current record to the clipboard and deletes it.
• Data Input Validation -- validation of data entry (checking for duplicates, etc.)
• Database Integrity Checks -- checking database integrity when opening and saving.
• Database is Damaged Alert -- how to fix the "database is damaged" alert when opening a database.
• databaseconsoledump -- dumps the raw contents of the specified database to the console in comma delimited format.
• databaseexportcsv -- exports selected records in the current database in CSV format (comma separated) to a text file.
• databaseexportjson -- exports selected records in the current database in JSON format to a text file.
• databaseexporttsv -- exports selected records in the current database in TSV format (tab separated) to a text file.
• databaseexportusingformula -- exports selected records in the current database to a text file, using a formula.
• datatype( -- determines what kind of data is in a field or variable: text, number, etc.
• datavalidationalert -- displays an alert when invalid data has been input.
• datavalue( -- returns the value of a field or variable: text, number, etc.
• dbcheckopen( -- returns true if the specified database is currently open, false if it is not.
• dbinfo( -- gets information about a database: what forms it contains, what fields, what flash art pictures, etc.
• deleteabove -- copies the current record to the clipboard and deletes it, then moves to the record above.
• deletefield -- deletes the current field from the database.
• deleterecord -- deletes the currently selected record.
• downloadpartialdatabase -- downloads specified components of the current database from the server. The current database must be shared.
• downrecord -- moves the cursor down one visible record.
• duplicaterecord -- duplicates the current record.
• editcell -- opens the edit window for the currently active field (or cell), highlighting the data, and allows you to edit that field.
• editcellstop -- opens the edit window for the currently active field (or cell), highlighting the data, and allows you to edit that field.
• editcellwith -- opens the edit window for the currently active field (or cell), using the supplied alternate text.
• editfield -- begins editing of the specified field.
• emptydatabase( -- returns true if the current database is completely blank.
• emptyfield -- tells Panorama to move to the next available (empty) field in a series of line item fields.
• emptyline( -- returns true if the entire current record (all fields) is blank, otherwise it is false.
• excludefromrecentmenu -- excludes the next opened database from the Recent menu.
• export -- exports the selected rows in the current database into a text file.
• exportjson -- exports the current database in JSON format.
• fieldname -- changes the name of the current field.
• fieldtype -- changes the data type of the current field.
• fieldvalue( -- grabs the contents of a field in the current record of a database. You can grab data from the current database, or from another database.
• firstrecord -- makes the first visible (selected) record in the database the active record.
• formulacalc -- allows you to evaluate a formula that you were not able to code into the procedure when it was being written.
• formulastrings( -- returns a data array of strings (text constants) used in a formula.
• formulavalue -- calculates the result of a formula. Usually this is done with an assignment statement (for example `x=2 * y` ), but the *formulavalue* statement gives you more flexibility. You can specify what database is to be used for the calculation (an assignment statement always uses the current database) and you can specify the formula using a variable, making it easy to change on the fly. This statement also gives you more control over how errors are handled.
• formulavalue( -- calculates the result of a formula based on data in the current record of any open database. This is similar to the fieldvalue( function, but allows any formula to be used, rather than just a single field.
• getautonumber -- returns the automatically generated number for the next record that will be added to the database.
• getautonumber( -- returns the automatically generated number for the next record that will be added to the database.
• getfieldproperties( -- returns a dictionary containing all of the properties of the specified field. (See the setfieldproperties statement if you want to change one or more field properties.)
• getproceduretext -- gets the contents (source) of a procedure and places it in a variable.
• growl -- displays a notification.
• growlmessage -- displays a notification.
• Importing Binary Data from Panorama 6 -- Importing Binary Data from Panorama 6
• importjson -- imports a JSON array into the current database.
• importjsonline -- imports a JSON record into the current record.
• importline -- imports a line of text into the current record.
• importrawdata -- imports raw binary data into an existing database.
• importtext -- imports text into an existing database.
• info("databasefilename") -- returns the name of the current database.
• info("rawdatabasedata") -- returns the binary data of the current database.
• info("rawrecord") -- returns the binary data of the current record.
• info("rawrecordid") -- returns a number that represents the location of the current record within the database.
• insertbelow -- inserts a new record below the current record.
• insertbelowcarriagereturn -- inserts a new record below the current record and moves to the first column.
• insertfield -- inserts a new field into the database in front of the current field.
• insertrecord -- inserts a new record above the current record.
• join -- joins data from another database into the current database.
• joinonerecord -- joins matching data from another database into the current record.
• lastlookupdatabase( -- returns the name of the database referenced in the most recent lookup.
• lastrecord -- makes the last visible (selected) record in the database the active record.
• left -- makes the previous field active in the active window.
• listchoices( -- builds a text array containing a list of all the values stored in a specified field.
• lookup( -- searches a database for a value, then returns other information from the same record. For example, the *lookup(* function can look up a phone number given a customer name, or look up a price given a part number.
• lookupall( -- builds a text array containing one item for every record in the target database where the data in the keyField matches the keyData. Each item in the text array contains the value extracted from the dataField for that record. If the data field is a numeric or date field, it is converted to text using the default patterns for that field.
• lookupalldouble( -- is similar to the lookupall( function, but it returns two fields from the target database instead of just one.
• lookupalloctet( -- is similar to the lookupall( function, but it returns eight fields from the target database instead of just one.
• lookupallquadruple( -- is similar to the lookupall( function, but it returns four fields from the target database instead of just one.
• lookupallquintuplet( -- is similar to the lookupall( function, but it returns five fields from the target database instead of just one.
• lookupallseptuplet( -- is similar to the lookupall( function, but it returns seven fields from the target database instead of just one.
• lookupallsextet( -- is similar to the lookupall( function, but it returns six fields from the target database instead of just one.
• lookupalltriple( -- is similar to the lookupall( function, but it returns three fields from the target database instead of just one.
• lookuplast( -- searches the selected records in a database for a value, then returns other information from the same record. For example, the *lookuplast(* function can look up a phone number given a customer name, or look up a price given a part number. Unlike the lookup( function which searches from the top of the database, the *lookuplast(* function searches backwards from the bottom.
• lookuplastselected( -- searches the selected records in a database for a value, then returns other information from the same record. For example, the *lookuplastselected(* function can look up a phone number given a customer name, or look up a price given a part number. Unlike the lookupselected( function which searches from the top of the database, the *lookuplastselected(* function searches backwards from the bottom.
• lookupmoredata( -- looks up an additional data field based on the previous lookup.
• lookupmoreformula( -- looks up additional data based on a previous lookup.
• lookupselected( -- searches the selected records in a database for a value, then returns other information from the same record. For example, the *lookupselected(* function can look up a phone number given a customer name, or look up a price given a part number.
• movefieldbefore -- moves the current field to a new position.
• moverecorddown -- moves the current record down one line.
• moverecordup -- moves the current record up one line.
• newdatabase -- creates a new database.
• newdatabasewithfields -- creates a new database with one or more fields.
• newdatabasewithjson -- creates a new database using a JSON file.
• newdatabasewithtemplate -- creates a new database with a template.
• newdatabasewithtextfieldnames -- creates a new database from a text file. The text file must contain the field names in the first line.
• opendatabase -- opens a database file.
• openfile -- opens a database file. It can also import data from a text file, another database, or a variable into the current database.
• Opening a Database in Diagnostic Mode -- opening a database so that no implicit code is triggered.
• openplain -- opens a database without opening any pre-saved windows, just the data sheet.
• opensecret -- opens a database invisibly, without opening its windows.
• opentextfile -- imports data from a text file or a variable into the current database.
• partialdatabaseupdate -- updates one or more components of an existing database.
• pastecell -- pastes the contents of the clipboard into the current cell.
• pasteline -- inserts a new record containing the contents of the clipboard.
• pasterecord -- inserts a new record containing the contents of the clipboard.
• printpdf -- prints the current database to a PDF file.
• printpreview -- previews what printing the current window will look like.
• printpreviewonerecord -- previews what printing the current record will look like.
• recalculatefield -- recalculates all values in current field based on field's formula (selected records only).
• recompile -- recompiles all procedures in a database.
• reorderfieldsdialog -- opens the Reorder Fields dialog.
• right -- moves the cursor to the next field in the active window.
• runfieldcalculations -- performs any automatic calculations associated with the current field.
• runfieldcode -- runs the automatic code associated with the specified field.
• runfieldsideeffects -- performs any side effects associated with the current field (calculations, procedures, etc.).
• saveblueprint -- save a blueprint of a database's structure.
• savepartialdatabase -- saves specified components of the current database, leaving other components out.
• serverdatabaseconsoledump -- dumps the raw contents of the specified database on the server to the console in comma delimited format.
• serverlookup( -- searches a shared database for a value, then returns other information from the same record. Similar to the lookup( function, but the search is performed on the server instead in the local computer's memory.
• setactivedatabase -- makes a database active (without changing the configuration of the windows).
• setautonumber -- changes the automatically generated number for the next record that will be added to database. This allows you to generate numbers out of sequence, or to start the sequence at a specific value.
• setdatabaseoptions -- modifies one or more properties of a database.
• setfieldnames -- changes the names of all database fields at once.
• setfieldproperties -- modifies one or more properties (name, data type, formula, etc.) of the current field.
• sizeof( -- calculates the amount of memory used by a field or a variable.
• superarraybuild -- scans a database to create a text array. This statement is is similar to arraybuild, but with a number of additional options (see Text Arrays).
• superlookup( -- searches a database for a record that matches a query formula, then uses a second formula to return other information from the same record. This is similar to the lookup( function, but instead of using an individual field for the key and data, any valid true/false (Boolean) formula can be used.
• table( -- searches a database for a value, then returns other information from the same record. Unlike the lookup( function, the *table(* function does not require an exact match. If it does not find an exact match the *table(* function will use the closest match. For example, the *table(* function can look up a tax rate given an income amount, or look up a shipping price given a zip code and weight.
• uniqueid( -- generates ID codes with a text root and a numeric suffix (for example `Jeff261`).
• unlockrecord -- unlocks the currently active record.
• uploadrecord -- uploads the current record to the server, even if it was not locked (for emergency use only).
• uprecord -- moves the cursor up one visible record.

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History

Version	Status	Notes
10.2	Update	If the database is shared (multi-user), you cannot use the ADDFIELDS or REPLACE option with this statement.
10.0	New	New in this version, but includes features that were part of the *OpenFile* statement in Panorama 6 and earlier versions.