Re: batch import and export (CSV)

[Phil Rhoades <..hidden..>]

People,


On Wed, 2007-10-31 at 00:04 -0700, brush wrote:
> hi folks,
> 
> On Wed, Oct 31, 2007 at 04:37:32PM +1100, Phil Rhoades wrote:
> > > Can't resist such a call! ;)
> > > 
> > > What I need right now is something that can take a CSV (or whatever) and
> > > import it as a GL transaction. Just a trivial CSV like this:
> > > 
> > > Account,Credit,Debit,Memo
> > > 1060,0,60,Deposit petty cash
> > > 1100,60,60,
> > > 
> > > I guess having an off-band way to set the transaction-wide fields would
> > > be appropriate too.
> > > 
> > > CSV are a little bit limit in their structure to input complete
> > > transactions in LS, which makes this a bit limited too, but you get the
> > > idea...
> 
> i would certainly agree that the first step would be a GL import script.
> i would say the easiest mode to me would be simply to have a field for
> every field in the GL import screen, including date, project, dep't,
> etc.  certainly some of these will remain the same, but i can use a
> spreadsheet to replicate data easily enough, rather than making the
> coding complicated.
> 
> so essentially the import functionality would need to take the same
> input that comes from the GL page's post function, and insert into DB.
> 
> my question for those with more experience with the code is how hard
> that would be.  
> 
> i will wager that it would be quite remarkably useful, low hanging
> fruit, for a wide variety of users.
> 
> > I have made a little progress using fireWatir to automate input but have
> > not had time to get back and sort out the remaining problems.
> > 
> > http://swik.net/fireWatir
> 
> i've looked a bit at *watir, and in worst case scenario that makes
> sense, but doesn't it officially qualify as a hopeless hack of a
> solution?  or is it a lot simpler and more elegant than it seems it
> would be?


Yes it is a bit of a hack but the main advantage is that transactions of
any kind, that affect any tables, are automatically handled by LS
itself, putting things into the right place instead of having to
reproduce LS results in scripts . . ie it is just speeding up normal
data entry.

Phil.
-- 
Philip Rhoades

Pricom Pty Limited  (ACN 003 252 275  ABN 91 003 252 275)
GPO Box 3411
Sydney NSW      2001
Australia
Fax:     +61:(0)2-8221-9599
E-mail:  ..hidden..