Import function improvement (Suggestion)

[vervoca]

Dear programmers of Peachtree Accounting,

When I use the import function, I found a drawback when there is an error in my import file.

It shows a message of import upto a certain line.

In fact, a partial imported file is no use or even worst. I have to restore the latest backup, and import all over again.

I hope that you can have a validation program which validate the whole file before allowing it to be imported.

Thank you very much

Regards

Vervoca

[Robert Walraven]

I doubt there are any Peachtree Accounting programmers that visit this forum. The problem you mention is one of the weaknesses of the Import interface. It has always been a manual tool and was really intended for initial import of data, not repeated import.

For the problem you mention I think what you need to do is let Peachtree continue importing the rest of the records, then edit the data file to include only the offending record, correct its problem, then import again.

[vervoca]

Dear Robert Walraven,

Thank you for your reply.

Firstly, I really don't know whether any programmer will read the forum, but trial is no harms, may be one day they will notice it.

Secondly, this function is not only for initial import. It does for repeated import, (may be the programmers did not realize it when they add this function)

Peachtree offers more than enough functions to general users, this causes a lot of unnecessary time during input processes.

I have forgone the input screens (Such as Cash sales, Payment, General Ledger) long long time ago, becuase of intrinsic inefficiency.

In fact, there are alternatives to import same set of data perfectly into Peachtree but it just uses 1/50 time compared with that using traditional input screen designed by Peachtree Accounting Programmers. It is because their objective is to develop a generlized accounting software.

In my mind, evolutions are from unsatisfactory, better can be better.

All the above are just my opinions, I hope it won't offence you.

Regards

Vervoca

[Robert Walraven]

Originally posted by vervoca
This function is not only for initial import. It does for repeated import, (may be the programmers did not realize it when they add this function)


Yes, that is true. However, I don't believe repeated import is what Peachtree intended Import for because it is a manually controlled mechanism with no feedback other than to the user.

Two alternatives that are programmable are DDE and PawCom. DDE is an old interface standard that is supported by Peachtree but is incomplete in the sense that it only lets you import certain things. Peachtree's DDE interface also has the problem that there is no feedback on the success of operations. PawCom is a commercial add-on that provides a full COM interface to the Peachtree data that can be used from almost any development tool. PawCom provides precise status on all write operations, so is more robust than Import or DDE.

Bob Walraven
Architect of PawCom