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Topic: Importing From Excel & Assign Column 'TempObserver(s)' issue

Hello,

I'm using Recorder 6.14 and I have recently started to come across an issue when I'm importing data from an excel file. Despite there being an observer column which is assigned as 'Observer(s)' the wizard will refuse to proceed until a:

'TempObserver(s)'

column is assigned. To see what would happen if I did this I reassigned the Observer(s) column with this temp one but then at the 'processing import file' stage it comes up with a final error message stating:

"unknown output field generator 'TObserverFieldGenerator'"

which prevents the import from going any further. it all seems to relate to this 'Observer column' issue but can't for find any reason why this issue has suddenly cropped up when last week it allowed me to import things without any problems.

Many Thanks

Phil Whelpdale

Phillip Whelpdale
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

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Re: Importing From Excel & Assign Column 'TempObserver(s)' issue

Is the survey media set to 'Temporary'?

Charlie Barnes
Information Officer
Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership

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Re: Importing From Excel & Assign Column 'TempObserver(s)' issue

Hi, No the survey media is set to 'none' but even before the import wizard reaches the assigning a survey stage it already insists on a 'TempObserver(s)' field be assigned in the first window that crops up, where you validate the data and assign the columns.

Phillip Whelpdale
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

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Re: Importing From Excel & Assign Column 'TempObserver(s)' issue

What version of recorder are you on? The Survey selection should be on the first screen of the import wizard* - this was introduced in 6.19, whereas the Temporary survey media type was introduced in 6.22.

(*Unless you've got ticked the "Use the v6.13 Import Wizard" checkbox in the options? But that didn't seem to cause me any problems.)

Charlie Barnes
Information Officer
Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership

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Re: Importing From Excel & Assign Column 'TempObserver(s)' issue

Hi,
I originally thought I was on version 6.14 but then realised that I recently upgraded to 6.18.

While fiddling around with settings (to try and get it to work and do the import) I selected the 'use v6.13 import wizard' which resulted in the same issue.

Cheers

Phillip Whelpdale
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

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Re: Importing From Excel & Assign Column 'TempObserver(s)' issue

Looks like your database has got out of step  with the software. I wonder if after upgrading you restored your database from a backup.  I think you should run the upgrade again.  The 6.13 import wizard isnt supported after 6, 19  so make sure this isnt set in the options.

Mike Weideli

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Re: Importing From Excel & Assign Column 'TempObserver(s)' issue

Hello Mike and Charlie,

Thank you both for your help and replies. I thought I would post and let you know this issue has been resolved and was indeed an issue of the database being out of step. We have our database hosted on a external server which has recently been upgraded to 6.19 and instead of upgrading the locally installed front end to the 6.19 I only upgraded to 6.14 so at the server end it was obviously treating all new imports as 'temporary surveys' as it wasn't receiving any other values for this from my local install.

Many thanks again for your help

Phillip Whelpdale
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

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Re: Importing From Excel & Assign Column 'TempObserver(s)' issue

Hi Phil - I find it is very beneficial to keep your software and dictionary versions bang up to date by keeping a close eye on the website. The latest dictionary update is "2I".

Bob Marsh
Doncaster LRC
Coleoptera recorder for YNU

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Re: Importing From Excel & Assign Column 'TempObserver(s)' issue

Thanks atheta01, as we have our database hosted as part of the Yorkshire and Humber Environmental Data Network (YHEDN) on external servers the dictionary updates etc are handled by a third party (so I'm not sure what version we are on) but I take your point regarding how important it is to keep everything up to date, as I found out recently (hence this thread). I'll certainly be keeping a closer eye on things in future.

Thanks :-)

Phillip Whelpdale
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

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Re: Importing From Excel & Assign Column 'TempObserver(s)' issue

In Recordern 6, Help>About will tell you which dict. and software versions you are on................

Bob Marsh
Doncaster LRC
Coleoptera recorder for YNU