merging data bases

[Phil Gue]

Can you merge two data bases without losing information? I have a "playinglist" - all the players who play, whether members of the ABF or not, used for scoring, and a "members" data base used for storing ABF members information.
I've decided to scrap the two data base method and have one with members and non-members combined. I don't wish to have to key in all the members details again. Can we merge the two (and perhaps delete the duplicated entries not required)?

[ianmac]

One way to do this is open the masterfile you wish to merge (members) and use the option [club][advanced][export players] (or menu item [system]/[exportplayers]). This produces a CSV file of all the players on file. (CSV is comma separated text file). That file can be edited with your favourite text editor (even notepad) and the players you don't want in the combined file may be deleted. Just delete the lines with the unwanted players. You can also leave them there and delete them later, but you can end up with duplicate numbers on file.

Then open the main file (playinglist), viewing the members list and use the [imports][Version 8 CSV file] and import the csv file produced in step one.

Another method is to import the players one by one as needed. Use the F2 [imports]/[new player] option. On the add player screen in the "Surname and player no. search file" choose the "other club file" and open the second members file there. Then all searches via name or number will look there, allowing you to transfer players to the current masterfile.