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If you have already created a home inventory in a spreadsheet, in another database, or in a text file, you can import your data into Collectify Home Inventory directly – thus saving you the work of re-entering your data manually.
Import Objects
Use the Import Objects dialog to bring data files from various sources into CHI. To launch the dialog, click File on the menu bar, then Import Objects...
1. Source File
The first field in the dialog is the Source File - this is the file you wish to bring in to CHI. You can import: a Text - Comma-Separated Values (*.csv) file, an Excel Spreadsheet (*.xls) file, a Microsoft Access Database (*.mdb) file, or a dBase Database (*.dbf) file. Click the Browse button and find the file that contains the data you wish to import.
 Select the source file (eg. *.xls)
2. Source Table
Select the table you wish to import from. For instance, if importing from a multiple-sheet Excel file, select which sheet of information you wish to import.
3. Import To Room
Select the room in your inventory that you want your objects to appear in. You may only import into one room at a time. After the import is complete, you can drag and drop your imported objects FROM this room INTO the appropriate room in your inventory.
4. Source Fields
The Source Fields are the fields that are available in the file you are importing from. Your goal is to import the data from the appropriate field in your original file on the left to the best field among the Collectify Home Inventory Fields on the right.
Select the Source Fields one at a time and drag them (holding down the left mouse button) over to the CHI Fields column. A heavy black line indicates when you can release the field under the chosen category. In the example below, Purchase Price is being dragged from Source Fields and is ready to be released under Cost Each in the CHI Fields column. Notice that you can drag more than one field from the source to a given CHI field. In the example below, the CHI Description field will receive the data from both the Source Object Description and Dimensions fields (the data from the two fields will be separated by a space in the CHI field).
 Drag and Drop
Source Data
View the data you are importing into your inventory by opening the Source Data... dialog.
Once you have selected your Source File, Table, Room, and you have mapped the Source Fields to the appropriate CHI Fields, you are ready to import. Click the Import button to complete the process.
Export Objects
There may be occasions when you will want to share your Collectify Home Inventory in a different format that can be imported by other databases or spreadsheets. For those occasions you can use the Export utility.
You can use Export dialog to copy parts or all of your inventory data into a Text - Comma-Separated Values (*.csv) file. To launch the Export dialog, choose File from the menu bar, then Export.
The Export dialog will ask you what you want to export - Objects, Insurance Policies, Insurance Claims, or Beneficiaries - and the range of records - All Records or Selected Records. Make your selection and click Export.
 Select the folder in which to save the *.csv file
The Export database to... dialog will appear. Select the folder you wish to place the file in and give the export file a name. Select Save.
The actual export process will then commence. Depending on the amount of data you are exporting, this can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. A progress bar will give you feedback on the operation.
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