Hello Steve,

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The short answer is Yes. I go through the same things you go through in order to set up the import spec. So as you can imagine building that spec took a fair amount of time.

I do however know a few tricks.

When you are dealing with an import spec like this the first thing you want to do is export one record from your application with the Field Name Headers option turned on. This way you can open the ASCII file and see the order of the fields. I find it best to open it in a spreadsheet program that way each field is separated.

The next thing you do is choose Set All on the import spec. The first line will say "Ignore Column" you will want to turn that off. By choosing Set All you already have the order that you need, all you have to do is turn off the unbound elements.

Then starting from the top of the import spec go through and compare. Now note the names that appear in the spec  window are the element names and the names in the export file are the actual field names. They may be different or they may be the same, So be careful. If the names don't match up, I usually go onto the next few and see if they match up. If they do then that first one matches up as well.

Take your time, do it slow and do it right. It is best to double check as you go, as it helps save you from getting to the end, running your import and finding out that you missed one along the way.

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I am not sure what you mean by this Steve, could you elaborate on what you mean?

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It does not need to be re-created, but it needs to be changed so that the order of the fields in the export file matches the order of the elements in the spec. The exception to this is if you move an unbound element. Also If you add an element to the form you will need to add it to the correct spot in the import spec.

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The reason you can't is because your export file only has the data from the bound elements in it.  Now if your form only had bound elements then you could Export All and then Import All after turning off the ignore column.

-Ray

Hello Steve,

ah I understand you know. It is a bug that is on the list to be fixed. Until it is, Hit the up arrow and then the down arrow after you select the element and it scrolls out of view in the spec editor. This will bring you back to that element on the list faster than scrolling.

Another thing that you may find helpful when creating large specs is to make the spec window bigger.

In general I find it easier to set up a spec using the keyboard.
The Shift key and the Up or Down arrow moves the current element up or down the list.
The Space bar turns an item on or off.
The Up and Down arrows by themselves move to either the element above the current one or the element below depending on which key you hit.

-Ray