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Using the Acquisition Station, you can import data from other databases into CONTENTdm. Export the data from your third-party database to a tab-delimited file and use the Batch Add wizard to guide you through the rest of the steps.

When exporting data from third-party software to CONTENTdm, apply the following guidelines:

1. All collection metadata field names must appear in the first record of the tab-delimited file.

2. The delimiting character must be a tab.

3. Each record must end with a carriage return.

4. There can be no carriage returns or tabs within a field in your tab-delimited file.

5. One field must contain the file names of the media items. (NOTE: Full path names such as c:\windows\foo.jpg are not acceptable. Only simple file names such as foo.jpg are acceptable.)

6. The file name for each existing item must be unique. Case differentiation will not make file names unique. For example, dunbar.jpg is the same as DUNBAR.jpg and DUNBAR.JPG.

7. Field name mapping need not be 1:1. Multiple tab-delimited fields may map to a single CONTENTdm collection field or you might have fewer fields in your tab-delimited file than in your CONTENTdm collection.

8. The data imported from your third-party software into CONTENTdm must contain a field which maps to the "Title" field of your CONTENTdm collection.

9. Store the tab-delimited file in a separate directory from your images.

Consult your database's documentation for instructions on how to export your data to a tab-delimited file format.

Importing a Tab-delimited File into CONTENTdm

Use the Batch Add wizard to import tab-delimited text files into an Acquisition Station project.

Template Creator settings can be applied when you import tab-delimited text with your files. Establish Template Creator settings before adding items to a project. Thereafter, the metadata fields of each item added to the project will carry the information you specified.

Note: Template Creator values are introduced after the tab-delimited import is complete. In fields where tab-delimited text exists, CONTENTdm inserts a semicolon and a single space then appends Template Creator metadata.

1. Click Batch Add.

2. Select Import files from a directory and check Import tab delimited text with my files. Click Next.

   

3. Click Browse to locate and select the name of the tab-delimited text file you wish to import. Click Next.

   

4. Specify whether you are importing files, URLs, or null items (to serve as placeholders). To import files, click Browse. Locate the directory containing all the item files specified in the tab-delimited file. Highlight the file name and click OK. Click Next.

   

5. The imported field names from your tab-delimited file appear in the left column. Map the fields in your CONTENTdm collection to the imported field names.

   

6. Click Next to finish the import.

See the Troubleshooting Guide to Tab-delimited File Import for help resolving problems.

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