====== Microsoft Excel Files ======

On selection of the **[Load All]** toolbar button, BISON will load the first file in the list and display the **Data Process Window** (see below).

As this import is from an Excel XLSX file, the internal format of the file is already known and a sample of the available data is displayed for you to edit.

===== Data Processor Layout =====

{{:pergamonmu:bison:readers_03.png?direct&200 |}}The top of the window contains a number of configuration options - these are not required for an XLSX import however, as the file format is already known.

Below this is a display sample of the file being imported, along with a band showing how the fields within this file will be mapped to Pergamon fields within the database. As you change configuration options, the appearance of this sample data area will change dynamically to show how your changes are taking effect.

The bottom of the window shows the various functions that you can perform once you have configured your data. We will look at these functions below.
 
===== Step 1 - Configuring the Importer =====

==== Mapping Data to Pergamon Fields ====

{{ :pergamonmu:bison:readers_05.png?direct&200|}}It is extremely rare for the headings of data in your import file to match the actual fields in Pergamon. As a result, we need to 'map' each field to tell BISON where to put the data.

Above the sample data can be found the 'Mapping Strip' containing each of the column names and what the column is mapped to - at the start, these will all read **<none>**.

To map a column, click the **<none>** value with your mouse to display a list of possible Pergamon fields to receive this data. Select a field, then progress through each column in turn until each field has a destination selected. If you do not want to import a particular column, just leave the selection as **<none>** and BISON will ignore that column of data.

===== Step 2 - Processing Your Data =====

Once your have configured the data import so that each required field is correctly mapped to a Pergamon field, we can start to process the data itself. Up until this point, we have simply being teaching BISON how to load the data from the file. Now we must tell BISON what to do with the data.

The line of buttons along the base of the window, provide us with several processing and utility functions.

==== Edit Mode ====

{{:pergamonmu:bison:readers_06.png?direct&200 |}}The **[Edit Mode]** button allows us to edit the data that is displayed in the on-screen spreadsheet and should therefore only be done as the final action before loading the data. **All** of the data is loaded into the spreadsheet, and individual cells can be edited by clicking the field with the mouse.

This utility is provided only to make minor changes to data which is clearly incorrect or might cause problems with the import - it changes the data **only** within the on-screen spreadsheet (not the file) and the changes are therefore not permanent. They will only remain if the data is processed and loaded into the Pergamon database.

==== View Final ====

{{ :pergamonmu:bison:readers_07.png?direct&200|}}Use the **View Final** button to view a selected record in the form that it will be eventually saved into the Pergamon database, with any processing and changes applied.

Note that some values displayed may be listed in an abstract fashion such as **<to be calculated at point of saving>**.

==== Abort ====

The **[Abort]**> button cancels the process of this and all other files in the **[Load All]** queue.

==== Cancel This File ====

The **[Cancel This File]**> button cancels the process of **this** file only, but proceeds to the next file in the **[Load All]** queue.

==== Next >> ====

The **[Next >>]** button uses the current configuration and any changes that have been made to the database to process the data in the spreadsheet, saving each record into BISON's import buffer.

While not actual 'live' yet, the data is loaded into BISON ready for the next step in the import.


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