Excel Import and Export

The Excel Import and Export Wizard supports the import and export of Excel Workbook files to and from a Dabacon database. It is currently available in AVEVA Diagrams, Schematic Model Manager and Tags.

Where an Excel file is used for an import, the file may contain multiple worksheets. Each worksheet may contain different element types. The worksheets which will be imported may be selected. Columns in a Worksheet may be mapped to corresponding attributes in the database. Owner/Member relationships between elements in each worksheet may be defined by providing a column to represent the OWNER attribute in the child element worksheet.

Prior to an import, a summary listing of the changes to the Dabacon database that the import will result in will be displayed. All, or a selection of these changes may be accepted, and the import run. The import may also be cancelled without changes being made to the Dabacon Database.

Where an Excel file is generated by the export wizard, the element types and the attributes of those elements which will be included in the export may be defined. Each element type included in an export will be exported to its own named worksheet in the generated Excel file. If a round trip of exported data is required, then key attributes required to maintain element identity, such as REF and NAME need to be included in the export.

The configuration defined for an export or an import may be saved, and used again. A single configuration may be used for the export and import of a workbook layout.

The Excel Import Export Wizard is driven by a wizard, which provides prompts and help during an import or export activity.

A command line interface is also provided for the Excel Import and Export Wizard, to support its programmatic use from PML facilitating batch imports and exports.

The Excel Import and Export Wizard is designed to support activities such as:

• The import of attribute data which originates in an external system, such as operating pressures and temperatures.

• The import of elements generated in an external system, such as Equipment and Nozzles.

• The round tripping of elements in a Dabacon database. For example, where a supplier provides a subset of attribute data for equipment items. The required equipment elements may be exported and the export file provided to the supplier, who will add the required attribute values. The supplier revised Excel file may then be imported back to the Dabacon database. The revisions made by the supplier may be checked and accepted/rejected prior to committing the import. This scenario is used in the examples below illustrating the use of the Excel Import/Export Wizard.