CSV - Database import
This feature permits you to create a catalogue quickly, by importing data from a database or from Excel.
You can insert images and the program can automatically generate thumbnails.
The function is accessible from the main menu, “File >Import from database / CSV”.
There are dozens of different database brands out there (Oracle, DB2, Microsoft Access, MySQL, Interbase, Paradox, Informix, Fulcrum, DBase, SQL server, FoxPro, Firebird, and much more...), so we chose to rely on CSV format (comma separated values), as any database (and also other programs such as Excel) can export to a CSV file.
This permits you to use any database.
Please see your database User’s Manual in order to learn how to export to a CSV text file - you may also use the CDFrontEnd user’s forum to exchange information with other users.
The fastest way to learn how the import works (and the meaning for the different sub-tabs) is to use a sample file supplied with the program, a file that works with the default settings.
Please just press the “Load CSV file” button on the first tab and choose the file “catalog_example_cat_and_subcat_ex1.txt”. As you may see this is a text file: you can open it with the MSWindows NotePad and you can use it as a sample of what you should obtain from your database.
The file relies on some images that are contained within the same folder (you may also choose another folder for images with the “Options” tab).
If you touch nothing, and you press the “Create” button on the bottom left, the program will ask you to choose a Template (from the Template tab). A template is simply a one-page AEH file saved within a particular folder. You can create infinite new templates - the layout of your catalogue is completely customizable. Within the template you may use some keywords, that will be replaced with live data. For example, $$title$$ will be replaced with the product title, $$image$$ with the product image. You find these special words listed on the
first tab.
Just press the Create button to see how it works. It will extract the data from the CSV file, create several pages, and then put you on the index page. You may see the other pages with CTRL+ and CTRL-.
In the example provided, the products are audio CDs, the subcategories are music artists, the categories Rock, Country, etc.
Very quick and nice, isn’t it? It has created a main index, category pages, subcategory pages, and product pages.
You may experience some variations by using the various subtabs.
Please notice that your own file may have categories + subcategories, subcategories only, or products only - just check / uncheck the options on the right of the first tab.
Now, as usual within this visual manual, you may learn about the various option of the dialog with clicks on the image (you may click on the tabs in order to see the meaning for all the 5 tabs; the first page shows the first tab only!),
click here to see the dialog.
Other easy software from Visual Vision:
