Importing errors

When data is imported into iBase, errors can occur. To ensure that the data is correctly imported, you can create a file of records that have experienced issues and use this information to correct problems in the source data.

About this task

Typical errors are:
  • Invalid characters (it is not an error if the source file has a blank value).
  • Incorrect number of fields in the record (perhaps a text qualifier or delimiter is missing).
  • Data is too long for the field.

An error in any field prevents the iBase record from being created or updated. An error file is only generated if you chose to turn on Write all records with errors to a file on the last page of the import wizard. Whether the existing error file is overwritten, and how it is named, depends on options that are specified on the last page of the import wizard.

Note: In the import wizard, you can double-click an error message to display it. Only the first 10,000 errors are reported.

The error file contains one row for each source record that is in error, with tabbed columns of field values.

The first row contains the assigned iBase field names as headings for the columns, so that when reimporting from the error file (after you fix the problem), you can use Auto Assign.

In subsequent rows:
  • The first column contains the source record number (for example its line number in the source text file; skip this field on reimporting).
  • The remaining columns contain the source record field values (but only for fields that are assigned to iBase fields).
In addition to the file with the *. txt extension, there is a file with a further *.errl extension. This log file contains one line per source record that is in error, detailing the error.

Procedure

To correct errors and reimport the data:
  1. Open the error file in a text editor.
  2. Edit the text to correct the problem that is identified by the error messages displayed at the end of the import, and then save your changes.
  3. In iBase, load the original import specification and then click Next.
  4. In the File name box, enter the edited error file as the source data for the import and click Next .
  5. Assign the source data to the iBase fields by clicking Auto Assign. Click First and Next to review the edited records in the source data.
  6. Complete the import in the usual way.