Converting Flat Files To Hierarchical Files
The flat file conversion utility is designed to convert a standard spreadsheet file into an Actinic 'hierarchical' import file. This is useful if there are any non-standard (or 'custom') fields in the spreadsheet file, as Actinic's standard import does not support the import of these custom fields. The custom fields can only be imported via a hierarchical import file.
What is a 'Custom' Field?
Actinic allows you to import the following standard text fields via a flat file:
· Short Description (generally the name of the product)
· Full Description
· Extended Information Text
Beyond that, there are no standard fields such as 'manufacturer', 'author', 'title', and 'artist' etc. If you have fields like these, they are 'custom' fields and can only be imported via a hierarchical import.
Background
Actinic has the ability to import product data from an import file (via 'File | Import'). There are two types of import file supported:
· Flat File - This is just a standard spreadsheet file with column headings across the top, and then product data listed in rows. It is a simple format to create and maintain, but it only supports a limited range of fields. It isn't possible to add your own custom fields to a flat file.
· Hierarchical File - This is an Actinic-specific format of file that can contain lots of different types of data. It is a totally flexible type of file, but it is very hard to create outside of Actinic. Normally, these files are created by an export from Actinic.
Most people have their data in a 'flat-file' format, but if the file contains any custom fields those fields will not be importable via a flat file. The flat file will need to be converted to a hierarchical file.
The following sections explain use of the convertor in depth.
