Updating records

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Updating records - Completed

James D. West

When I attempt to update the existing records, and have checked the “import” and “Update” buttons, and click on “apply”, I get a red bar message that I “didn’t have sufficient records or unique records” and no changes are made. I am using the NAME as the unique column and all records have an entry in that column.

I tried it again with only one record, knowing that the same (but slightly different) record exists in the database.

Got the same error msg, “You have chosen to update existent records with new data by unique key. But you have few similar records with this key in your database. Please, make sure you have unique values in your database for this key or choose another key.”

14.07.2010

Supported this topic 0

Igor Petrushenko

Hi, James,

I can only repeat what this message said.
Please, let me know your database url and what data you are trying to import, maybe you can make screenshots so we can help you better.

“Knowing that the same (but slightly different)” it shouldn’t be different at all.

If you have a database with just two columns: Name and Age, with such records

Name Age
Igor 25
Ivan 26
Nata 27

If you will have two Igors, like this:

Name Age
Igor 25
Ivan 26
Nata 27
Igor 28

import will show you your last error message.
And your first error message can be if you enter something like this:

Name Age Name
Igor 25 asd
Ivan 26 aaa
Nata 27 aaa
Igor 28 aaa

i.e. two columns with the same name

And you select to update by name. Then you should have

Name Age
Igor 28
Ivan 29

in your Excel file (make sure to copy/paste from Excel and not type it in import text box).

So, when you hit import it should update your database and it will look like this:

Name Age
Igor 28
Ivan 29
Nata 27

Hope it helps. Otherwise, please, email me with more details.
Thanks!

14.07.2010

Igor Petrushenko

Hi, James,

We have investigated your problem.

If you need to import data to a database using some column (for example Name) – in this column should be only unique records.

In your database the column Name has identical records.

Please, to correct import, use a column with unique records.

Hope it helps.
Thanks

15.07.2010

James D. West

There are some duplicates.

BUT I tried IMPORTING only one record, after having made it sure there was only one such record in the database at MYTASKHELPER. The NAME in both MYTASKHELPER and IMPORT were identical. A couple of columns in IMPORT were different and that was the reason for updating.

NAME = Blacke

Are you saying that no IMPORT of any kind can be done if there are SOME duplicates, even if those are not the records being updated ???

15.07.2010

Igor Petrushenko

Hi, James,

This is the way it works now.
Yes, when you work with one record it’s confusing and you expect another result.
But think about it if you have 500 duplicates and import 300 other records. It’s a pain and I can’t imagine how to handle it.
Updating by unique column is a common solution and you can find just the same in other systems like MTH.

However, we are always ready to change the system, add another option or feature. Especially if you describe how it should be, but not only for your single case, but for other users too,
because, like I said, the majority of users will update many records at a time.
For updating records they just use Search, found some record – click on Edit – hit Update, and there is no need to use Import → Update – copy from Excel etc.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing more thoughts and ideas from you.
Again, we are definitely ready to change the system to fit our users’ needs.

Thanks!

15.07.2010

James D. West

One of my databases has 30,000 records. The unique column is NAME. I have no idea how to find duplicates without searching and reviewing every individual record. That would take an eternity.

If there was a FIND DUPLICATE function based upon user’s choice of the column, that would certainly make it a lot easier.

And when I attempt to update, I am adding dozens of new records, or trying to change dozens of existing records. It doesn’t seem to make sense to do one record at a time.

I may be missing something. I would like to remove the duplicates but don’t know how to find them without looking at each record individually.

15.07.2010

Igor Petrushenko

Hi, James,

Yes, Find Duplicate option is what we really need. Trying to reproduce your issue we couldn’t find it even in Excel.
So it would be really great to have it in MTH.
Please, if you can add such feature request we will be happy to implement this for you ASAP.

Thank you!

15.07.2010

Igor Petrushenko

Hi, James,

Thank you for your patience and posted feature request.
You can find how to use it with the help of the screenshots on your feature request page here

Thanks!

25.07.2010