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Importing a folder of files all at once

FileMaker Pro can import a folder of files in a single operation. For example, instead of inserting several picture, PDF, or audio/video files one by one, you can import them all at once. You can also import a folder of text files, which is faster than copying and pasting the contents of each file.

FileMaker Pro can import any image, audio/video, or PDF file that you can insert with the Insert Picture, Insert Audio/Video, and Insert PDF commands (for supported picture and audio/video formats, see Using data in container fields). Text files must be plain, text-only files with a .txt filename extension or a TEXT file type.

You can import a folder of image files into a container field, a folder of audio/video or PDF files into an interactive container, or a folder of text files into a text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container field. In addition to the file content, you can also import information about each file: the filename, the file path, and (for picture and movie files only) a smaller thumbnail image.

To import a folder of files:

1.	Open the FileMaker Pro file into which you want to import a folder of files.

You need an existing FileMaker Pro file into which to import a folder of files. FileMaker Pro won’t convert the imported data into a new file.

2.	If you’re updating existing or matching records, make a backup copy of the target file that you’re importing into.

Important  Updating existing or matching records overwrites data in the target file and cannot be undone. Choose File menu > Save a Copy As to make a backup copy of the target file. Make sure you understand how updating records works. See Methods of importing data into an existing file.

3.	If the target file contains multiple tables, use the Layout pop-up menu to display a layout that shows records from the table you want to import data into.

4.	If you’re updating existing or matching records, do the following before you import. (If you’re adding new records, skip to the next step.)

•	If you’re updating existing records in the file, make sure the found set contains only the records you want to replace. Sort the records (for example, by the filename) to ensure that data you’re importing replaces the correct records in the target file.

•	If you’re updating matching records, make sure the found set contains only the records you want to update. Records outside the found set will not be updated, even if match field data matches.

5.	In Browse mode, choose File menu > Import Records > Folder.

The Folder of Files Import Options dialog box appears.

6.	In the Folder Location area, click Specify, and choose the folder that contains the files you want to import.

Select Include all enclosed folders to indicate whether to import files that exist in any enclosed folders. (FileMaker Pro will import up to 100 folder levels deep.)

7.	In the File Type area, choose Picture and movie files or Text files, then click Continue.

If you’re importing a folder of picture files, you can select Import only a reference to each picture file to import only a reference to each file. When this option is deselected, a copy of each file is imported directly into the database.

For PDF files, choose Picture and movie files.

Important  Because movie files are usually large, they are always imported by reference. If you’re importing large picture files, consider importing only a reference to each file. However, if you import files by reference and later move, rename, or delete a source file, FileMaker Pro won’t be able to display it.

8.	In the Import Field Mapping dialog box, choose the type of import to perform, and map fields in your database to the data you want to import. Then click Import.

For details on using the Import Field Mapping dialog box and finishing the import process, see Setting the import action and mapping fields during import.

For Picture and movie files import, the following data mapping is available:

 

Data	Map to field type
Image	Container field
File Name	Text field
File Path	Text field
Image Thumbnail	Container field

To make audio/video or PDF files interactive, choose an interactive container for Image. See Specifying formats for container fields.

For Text files import, the following data mapping is available:

 

Data	Map to field type
Text Content	Text, number, date, time, timestamp, or container field
File Name	Text field
File Path	Text field

Notes

•	When the folder you specify for import contains shortcuts (Windows) or aliases (OS X) to either files or folders, FileMaker Pro does the following:

•	Shortcuts/aliases to files: FileMaker Pro locates each original file and imports it.

•	Shortcuts/aliases to folders: FileMaker Pro does not locate the original folders and import from them.

•	Some items are not imported:

•	Windows: FileMaker Pro does not import files or from folders that are hidden, offline, system, or temporary.

•	OS X: FileMaker Pro does not import invisible files or from folders that are invisible.

•	The maximum size of most text files that you import is 1 GB. The size limit on UTF-16 encoded text files is 2 GB.

•	If you import the File Path data into a field, you can open the original file directly from FileMaker Pro: select the entire file path text, right-click the text, and then choose Open File from the shortcut menu.