Checking for existing records

When data is added to iBase as a part of an import, it might match existing records. As a part of the import specification, you can choose how potential matches are handled.

About this task

Depending on whether you are importing entities or links, the options that you are provided have the same basic choices, but if you are importing links, you must make decisions not only for the link record, but also for the entities that are at either end of that link.

Procedure

For each type of record that you are creating, to check for matching records:

Select the option to check for matching records of this type using identifiers, and in the case of links, link ends.

Choose the method of handling potential matches:

Option	Description
Update it	Update the matching record with the supplied information.
Don't update it	Discard data that matches existing records in the database.
Confirm action	Each time matching data is identified, choose whether to update the record.

Choose how unique records are handled:

Option	Description
Create it	Create a record with the supplied information.
Don't create it	Discard data that does not update records in the database.
Confirm action	Each time unique data is identified, choose whether to create a record.

Optional: Use the Treat identifiers without values as matches option to determine whether or not fields that have been marked as identifiers should count as matches if they do not contain values.