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LOTUS6.DOC
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Symphony Notes
Release 1
Note 102 Transferring a 1-2-3 Database to Symphony
Introduction
Symphony works with 1-2-3 database files in much the same way 1-
2-3 does. To make use of Symphony's additional database capabil-
ities using the FORM window, however, you must follow the proce-
dure outlined in this note.
This procedure involves retrieving the 1-2-3 file with Symphony
and saving it as a Symphony file, creating a blank Symphony
worksheet, and then combining the file's field name range and
Database range with the blank worksheet.
Before You Start
1-2-3 and Symphony Databases
There are several differences between 1-2-3 and Symphony data-
bases:
* The Input range in 1-2-3 is called the Database range in
Symphony.
* Symphony classifies this Database range as well as the
Criterion range and the Output range as the Basic ranges.
Symphony specifies the Database and Criterion ranges
automatically during form generation.
Symphony's Form Generation Process
During Symphony's form generation process, you can accept the
form setting defaults or you can change them. The FORM window
Generate command offers the following form setting options:
* The default field type - Choose Label, Number, Date, Time, or
Computed. Label is the default.
* The default field length - Indicate the column width. The
default is 9.
* The name of the Database settings sheet - This names the
settings sheet. The default name is MAIN.
When Symphony generates a form, it automatically creates several
different ranges. These ranges adopt the name of the Database
settings sheet. Refer to the Symphony How-To Manual and the
Reference Manual for more information about these ranges.
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Procedure
Before you begin, be sure to make a backup copy of the 1-2-3
database file you are going to transfer.
Start with Symphony loaded in the computer. If you have a two-
disk drive computer, put the disk with the 1-2-3 database file in
either disk drive. If you have a hard-disk computer, you can
either put a disk with the 1-2-3 database file in the disk drive
or work with a 1-2-3 database file on the hard disk.
1. Begin in a SHEET window and retrieve the 1-2-3 file you
want to transfer.
Select Services File Retrieve and call up the 1-2-3 file.
Note: Be sure to indicate the appropriate disk drive when
you type in the name of the file to be retrieved. If
your file is in a subdirectory, make sure you indi-
cate the subdirectory name.
You can retrieve the 1-2-3 file with its .WKS exten-
sion. When you select File Retrieve, Symphony lists
the available files on the command line on the
screen. On the status line, you will see the path
ending with \*.wrk. Press the Escape key once and
*.wrk disappears. Then type in *.wks and press
Return; the files with a .WKS extension will be
listed. Or, when making the backup copy of the file,
you can use the operating system command to change
the extension from .WKS to .WRK and then retrieve
the file.
2. Next, name two separate ranges: the field name range
(consisting of the column headings) and the Database range
(consisting of all the data in the worksheet). Be sure to
write down the range names you use. To simplify the
transfer process, you might use "fields" and "data" for the
range names.
* Select Menu Range Name Create. Type in a name for the
field name range. Highlight the range and press Return.
* Follow the same procedure to name the Database range and
highlight its boundaries.
* Save the file with the Services File Save command.
Note: It's a good idea to change the 1-2-3 .WKS extension
to the Symphony .WRK extension now if you haven't
done it yet.
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3. Copy the field name range onto a blank worksheet.
* Select Services New Yes to create a blank worksheet.
* Copy the field name range onto the new worksheet by
selecting Services File Combine Copy Named-Area.
Type in the name of the field name range (for example,
fields) and select Read and either Value or Formula.
Finally, type in the name of the saved file.
The field names should appear at the pointer position on
the worksheet. Don't worry if some of the field names are
shortened on the screen. You can adjust the column widths
individually later.
4. Switch to the FORM window and generate an entry form.
* Select Menu Generate. You can accept or change
Symphony's default settings for the field type and
length and the Database settings sheet name at this
point or you can wait and change them later. To accept
the defaults, press Return three times.
* Highlight the field name range so that it includes all
of the field names.
* Press Return and you will see the entry form.
5. Copy the Database range on the new worksheet.
* Switch back to the SHEET window. You will see the data-
base that Symphony generated. The following ranges are
on the screen: Entry range, Definition range, Above
Report range, Main Report range, Criterion range, and
Database range. (Full definitions of these ranges can be
found in the Symphony How-To Manual.)
* Press Goto and type in the name of the Database settings
sheet followed by _DB. For example, if you accepted the
default name for the settings sheet, you would type
MAIN_DB. Press Return and the pointer moves to the first
field name of the Database range. Move the pointer down
one row.
* Copy the Database range into the new worksheet by
selecting Services File Combine Copy Named-Area.
Type in the Database range name (for example, data) and
select Read and either Value or Formula.
Type in the name of the saved file.
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6. Since Symphony has not yet extended the range of the new
database past the field name row, you must extend the
Database range.
* With the pointer on the leftmost field name, select Menu
Query Settings Basic Database.
* Highlight the range to include all the data that has
been brought into the Database range to the worksheet.
* Press Return and then press Quit three times.
Symphony will now automatically adjust the Database range
downward each time a new record is entered through the
entry form.
7. Switch back to the FORM window and you will see the data
for the first record on the entry form. Use the Page Down
key to see the next record on the entry form.
Select Services File Save to save the file. You now have a
Symphony database file.
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