Hello,

I am trying to import data from a CSV file into FileMaker, but the
option "Matching Names" is always grey.

Is there a way, or a different format file that allows me to use
matching names?

The original data was in a Access database (mdb) file and I exported to
CSV in order to be able for filemaker to understand.

Thanks
Thiago

You need the first row of data in the CSV to be field names before you
can use a matching names option. There is an option at the bottom of
the iimport dialog - don't import the first record (contains field
names). If you check that box then matching names becomes available

Is that option only available on newer versions of FileMaker?
I am using FileMaker 5 and that bos Don't Import First Record is not on
the Import Dialog, is it located anywhere else for that version?

Thanks

In article <1132602974.490499.103270@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>, 
thijorge@gmail.com says...
> Is that option only available on newer versions of FileMaker?

Yes.

> I am using FileMaker 5 and that bos Don't Import First Record is not on
> the Import Dialog, is it located anywhere else for that version?

No. You have to either manually remove it ahead of time, or simply 
delete the extraneous record after the import in prior versions.

Leaving it in place and deleting it after the fact is handy, as it makes 
lining up the import fields easier, and you can even script it to delete 
that header row automatically if its an import you perform regularly.

-regards,
Dave

I find that exporting from Access to an Excel file then into FM8 is the 
most reliable. CSV has problems if there are commas in field data.

With FM8 the import dialog defaults to importing to the current table. 
You have to go to the bottom of the list and select Create New Table in 
order to import the data to a new table. Maybe FM5 has similar choices 
that cause the field names to grey out (I have only ever used FM8).
Michael Paine

Thiago Jorge wrote:

> Is that option only available on newer versions of FileMaker?
> I am using FileMaker 5 and that bos Don't Import First Record is not on
> the Import Dialog, is it located anywhere else for that version?
> 
> Thanks
> 

Older versions of FM don't deal directly with Excel. I've also found 
that Microsoft products tend to mangle CSVs; Excel csv exports are often 
horrid, seemingly using quotes at random, leaving commas out if fields 
are blank, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if Access doesn't do a great job 
of it either.

For older versions, Access -> Excel -> SYLK -> Filemaker tends to work 
well in cases where csv's have problems.

In article <43822aa3$0$12929$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au>, 
mpaine@tpgi.com.au says...
> I find that exporting from Access to an Excel file then into FM8 is the 
> most reliable. CSV has problems if there are commas in field data.
> 
> With FM8 the import dialog defaults to importing to the current table. 
> You have to go to the bottom of the list and select Create New Table in 
> order to import the data to a new table. Maybe FM5 has similar choices 
> that cause the field names to grey out (I have only ever used FM8).
> Michael Paine
> 
> Thiago Jorge wrote:
> 
> > Is that option only available on newer versions of FileMaker?
> > I am using FileMaker 5 and that bos Don't Import First Record is not on
> > the Import Dialog, is it located anywhere else for that version?
> > 
> > Thanks
> > 
> 

Another way to import the data is to drop the file on the FileMaker
icon and let it create a new database file with the CSV file.  Now you
can use import matching field names because it's 1 FM file to another
FM file.

Thiago Jorge wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I am trying to import data from a CSV file into FileMaker, but the
> option "Matching Names" is always grey.
> 
> Is there a way, or a different format file that allows me to use
> matching names?
> 
> The original data was in a Access database (mdb) file and I exported to
> CSV in order to be able for filemaker to understand.
> 
> Thanks
> Thiago
> 
You don't have your field names included in your export from Access.
Try that.
N

The problem is I need to have the field names.
Since the data that comes from access is only part of the data that
FileMaker contains, and the fields are not in the same order.

That is the reason why I need to use the option Matching Fields and
have the field names.

I read somewhere that I could use DIF format, but Access does not
export to that format and when I have the file on Excel to create the
DIF file, I end up loosing the field names.

Any clues??

Thanks so far to all who are trying to help!

Thiago Jorge wrote:
> The problem is I need to have the field names.
> Since the data that comes from access is only part of the data that
> FileMaker contains, and the fields are not in the same order.
> 
> That is the reason why I need to use the option Matching Fields and
> have the field names.
> 
> I read somewhere that I could use DIF format, but Access does not
> export to that format and when I have the file on Excel to create the
> DIF file, I end up loosing the field names.
> 
> Any clues??
> 
> Thanks so far to all who are trying to help!
> 
Hello Thiago:

You mentioned that you are using FileMaker 5.

You might try this:

If your CSV file lacks a first LINE without Field Names, manually create 
a listing of the Field Names in an ASCII ONLY utility such as notepad, 
wordpad, or perhaps emacs if you are using a Mac.

After saving your file as PLAIN ASCII text with a csv extension, RENAME
yourfile.csv to yourfile.mer ; the .mer extension is recognized by 
FileMaker 5.X as a MERGE file which you may import directly via Matching 
Field Names.

This has worked for me for some time in FileMaker 5.X.

Opie

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Hey Opie, thanks!!

It did work perfectly here!

Thiago

Michael Paine <mpaine@tpgi.com.au> wrote:

> I find that exporting from Access to an Excel file then into FM8 is the
> most reliable.

Doing this was perfect with FMP6
with FMP8, and the same XL file, the first row (Titles) is no more
imported...
-- 
Philippe Manet