 |
||
| Importing your own database | ||
| Introduction | I've had several requests to make it possible to import data from other PC-based databases. I can understand why. It gets a bit tedious to enter a lot of info into the Palm. There is a way to create a database on your PC -- It is in fact the method I used to import the original databases into the Palm. You will need Microsoft Excel to enter your data. Just follow the directions below and you should be able to make this work. | |
| Step 1. Download Files |
The first step is to download some files you will need. Click Here to get the DBTools files. They are contained in a ZIP archive. You will need a program such as WinZip to extract the files from the archive. Extract all the files into any one directory of your choice. | |
| Step 2. Edit the database |
Using Excel, open the spreadsheet
called CCplusfastfood.csv. Then, add all of your new food
items to the bottom of the sheet. Notice the columns labeled A
through I. When you add your own data, just make sure your data goes into
the right column. This is what you put in the columns:
A) leave blank B) enter "FALSE" C) The food item D) make that a number zero E) Enter the name of the restaurant F) Number of Carbs per serving G) Enter the serving size. Note: if serving size is 1/2, make sure you enter it as a text value by using a leading scare quote (single quote like '). Otherwise you'll get the field translated to January 2nd. If you're ambitious, you can fix all the January 2nd's that I created by mistake. :-) H) Enter Fat content I) Enter the Protein content. |
|
| Step 3. Sort & Save |
Now sort the file alphabetically on column
C - that is, sort it by name. Then, save the file making sure to save
it as a comma separated value file (csv). |
|
| Step 4. Edit the Groups File |
If you added a new
restaurant or food category to the list, one that did not exist already,
you will need to edit the groups file. Otherwise you can skip this step. Open the file groups.csv
and add your restaurant or food category name to the bottom
of the file and resort the column by alphabet. Then, save
as a csv file. |
|
| Step 5. Convert the files! |
Now the fun part! Run the program called pdatconv.exe - it's a database converter that will take your text file as input. You'll run this twice - once for the data file and once for the new restaurant or food group file. When asked for the data definition file, first select CarbCheck.xdf as the definition file and ccplusfastfood.csv as the text file. Select the text>>Palm radio button, and give your new database a name and location to store. Hit convert it and if all goes well, file 1 is done. Now, repeat this for the groups.csv file making sure to select groups.xdf as the data definition file. |
|
| Re-sync and you're done! |
Phew! Seems like a
lot of work, but it really isn't. If you really want to get serious
you can also convert the palm files back to text as well. Kinda reverse
the process with the conversion program.
You will need to copy all these files where your palm files are stored, or select the newly created palm files (ccplusfastfood.dbf & groups.dbf) using the Palm desktopprogram. I hope this helps. Keep checking back.
If you have questions or problems, please send email to support@charbcheckhome.com |