Import ODBC DSN Files

Use the Data Import utility to import ODBC DSN files from outside sources into Vision.

To import ODBC DSN files, you must set up the ODBC driver as the System DSN on the Vision Application server. The database source must be in a folder that the server has access to, so that you can select it when you set up the System DSN. Your IT staff may be needed for initial setup. Common databases include SQL Server, Access, and FoxPro.

To import ODBC DSN files, you may need to enter a valid user ID and password. Only some ODBC DSNs require a user ID and password, depending on the data source for that DSN.

Follow these guidelines:

  • Vision only supports System DSN; it does not support File DSN.

  • The names of the source fields cannot contain any spaces or punctuation.

  • To import a default value for a standard area of Vision such as a check box, place the value in single quotation marks in the Expression field.

To import ODBC DSN files, complete the following steps:

  1. From the Vision Navigation menu, click Utilities > Advanced Utilities > Data Import.
  2. In the Table Description field on the Import Utility form, select a table type.

    By default, this field lists only data entry type tables. However, if you have the proper security access, you can also access other types of tables. To do this, hold down CTRL + SHIFT and click on the screen. Vision displays a Password dialog box. Enter your valid password and click OK.

  3. In the From field, select ODBC DSN.
  4. In the Input Table Name field, specify the name of the temporary Vision table that stores the validated or error records before they are imported to the final destination in Vision.

    Ensure that the table name does not contain a period or other special characters.

  5. Complete the fields on the Main tab.
  6. Complete the fields on the ODBC Fields Mapping tab.

    This tab is available only if you set the From field to ODBC DSN. You can save the settings on this form, so that you can apply them the next time you load a file of the same data type. (You can change the saved settings.)

  7. Click Validate.

    Vision verifies the source data and inserts both the valid and error records into the temporary table that you specified on the Main tab.

  8. Correct any records that require correction and revalidate them.
  9. Click Import.

    Vision verifies the source data and inserts the records into the final destination in Vision.

Parent Topic: Procedures