The Dump and Load commands (File menu) are used to dump data out of Helix, and load data into Helix.
When you dump, you create a “text-only” file on the Macintosh desktop. This file is identical to a text-only file created in MacWrite. You have two alternatives to a ‘text-only’ file, ‘SYLK’ and ‘DIF.’ These are formats in which some programs prefer to store their data. When transferring data to and from another program, check to see its ‘normal’ format.
• Data Type: When you load data, you are entering information from a text-only file, but the information does not have to remain text-type. The effect of loading data is the same as though you were typing and tabbing from the keyboard. If the data loading in looks like “$123.00”, it can be loaded into a number-type field, and will become number-type data. This is true for all data types (except pictures). When loading into non-text fields, each entry will be checked for allowable formats for the data type of that field. If an error is encountered, the loading will stop (unless you have specified to skip errors).
• Dumping and loading are only available when a form is open and the form window selected. Load is not selectable when a record is being viewed.
• Will Dumping cause a deleting of records?
No. Dump will make a copy of your files. The data you have entered remains unchanged. Mass deletion can be accomplished with the ‘Delete All’ command in the View menu.
• Why isn’t my text file loading correctly?
1. The text file is loaded field by field in the same order in which it was dumped. Make sure that the form you are loading into and the form you have dumped from are identical in the number and the order of the fields (except when dumping calculations- see #2). It can be helpful to print out the Template you are dumping from so that you can compare it to the one you are loading into. You can also duplicate the Template, and modify it if needed (see next).
2. Remember that the values in a calculated field can be dumped, but you cannot load into a rectangle containing only an Abacus icon. When loading, calculated fields will be skipped over. Therefore, if your dump form has calculated fields, you cannot use the same form for loading. In short, any field you can type into can be loaded into.
3. Pictures can not be dumped or loaded.
4. A field in the relation has a validation check attached that is not being satisfied. That field is not necessarily on the form used for loading.
• Working with your text file in MacWrite (or other word processors):
If you have dumped your data into a text file, you should not double-click the text file to open it. This will launch Helix. Rather, open the word processor (such as MacWrite) first, then open the file from within this application.
