Skip to main content
Share / Export

Performing IM Import

IM Import creates the temporary work file that moves third-party data into a limited set of Vista data files. Typical data includes payroll timecard detail, job cost adjustment detail, equipment usage and cost adjustment detail, fuel usage, and bank reconciliation (not an exclusive list). Edit staged rows in IM Work Edit, then upload. Form help: About the IM Import Form. Procedure: Import a Data File. Overview: Importing Data from Third-Party Systems. There is no help slug performing-im-import.

Before you start​

  • An IM Template already exists for this data type.
  • File format is supported (Setting Import File Formats). Attachments require a delimited file; on header/detail forms, attachments belong on header records only.
  • Optional: IM Cross Reference if values need conversion or the data is not Vista-compatible; map fields on template detail; if attaching documents, include a Record Key identifier (Adding Additional Import Identifiers).

Steps​

  1. Open IM Import.
  2. ImportID: unique ID up to 20 characters (number or code). Defaults to the last active import ID.
  3. Template: enter or F4. Must match the data type. Defaults to the last active template. Wrong template is a common failure.
  4. Import File: path to the data file (field def says “folder location”; procedure says location of the data file).
  5. Starting Line Number (optional): blank starts at line 1. A number must be greater than 0 (example: skip header rows or bad data). If the IM Template has a Starting Line Number, that defaults here and you may override; this field’s value is what the import uses.
  6. Click Execute.

Progress appears in Import Results. Errors abort the import; fix them before resuming.

Hard rules​

  • Validation is weaker than manual entry. Example: MS Ticket Entry warns if amount exceeds customer credit limit; that warning does not appear during import.
  • Attachments: delimited only; header/detail forms only on header records.
  • Direct import writes straight to a database table. Batch import goes to a batch processing form to validate before posting (Import Types), then IM Batch ID and the applicable batch form.
  • Later optional: IM Import Purge (templates or import IDs); automated import via Importing Files Automatically and IM Auto Import Profile Setup.

Notes​

  • Related: IM Template; IM Work Edit; IM Upload; IM Cross Reference; IM Batch ID; IM Import Purge; IM Auto Import Profile Setup. Same-area Processing topics include Updating All Record Sequences, Applying Viewpoint Defaults, Clearing the Work File, Deleting Records, Viewing Errors, IM Error Messages, IM Payroll Group, IM User Input Detail.