NewDeal Hot Tip 1303

[Hot Tips for...] NewFile

NewFile, Merge Two Databases

There is no automatic way to merge two databases nor to import a database into an existing open database in NewFile. However, here is what I do when I need to merge two databases. Note: Both databases must contain the same fields. The data within the fields will be different, of course, but the names of the fields and the type of data they contain must be the same in both databases.
  1. First I export both databases. Depending on the type of data, it might work best to export to dBase, Lotus123, or CSV. If I'm not sure which is best, I try each one to see which provides the best results when I import the file into NewCalc.
  2. Next, I import both databases into NewCalc. I now have two spreadsheets. I check to make sure that the fields (columns) in my spreadsheets are in the same order. If not, I copy and paste to make them match.
  3. In one of the NewCalc spreadsheets, I click the smart select button to select the entire database, then copy it and paste it starting on the first blank row in the other file. In other words, if I have a spreadsheet with 500 records and one with 1000 records, I copy the 500 records and paste them starting on row 1001 in the 1000 records spreadsheet, so I now have a spreadsheet that contains all 1500 records.
  4. Next, I export the combined spreadsheet to dBase, Lotus123, or CSV format and import that file back into NewFile. I now have a database in NewFile which contains all my records, but it may not have all my layouts.
  5. To restore my layouts, first I make sure all the fields are named the same as my original database. Then I open my original database, switch to one of the layouts, Select All, and Copy the layout. Then I open my new combined database, create a new layout, and Paste.
  6. I repeat step 5 for each of my layouts. As long as the field names and order match, the layouts will work as they should.

Note: If I need to merge databases often, I store the layouts in a Scrapbook, instead of going back to the original database file for them.


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Last Modified 2 Mar 1999