Management Tools > Importing and Exporting Data

RetailEdge can import REDI (RetailEdge Data Interchange) file format or CSV (Comma Separated Values, Text) format. The RetailEdge REDI format is a hybrid format that is a cross between standard ASCII and HTML and is primarily for allowing data transfer between separate or disconnected copies of RetailEdge. To import a REDI file:

1.Choose Import from the Tools menu item.

2.Press the Next button.

3.Select the Import Type you want and press the Next button.

4.Select the Import Filename and location and the Import Type of and press the Next button.

5.Press the Next button to Validate the data.

6.Press the Start Import Process button to import the data into RetailEdge.

Note: If you encounter errors during the import process you can press the View as Text or View as REDI buttons during the Import File Information and Validate Data steps to check the import file format. If you press the View as Text button, you can make changes, save the file and restart the import process.

Importing Existing Data From Another Program.

If you want to import your data from another program you should get familiar with the REDI file format. The best way to get to know the REDI format is to try a RetailEdge Export and look at the REDI export file. In it, you'll see that there are different sections for inventory, departments, vendors, etc. Each section starts and ends with HTML-like tags.

If you want to import existing data from another program or vendor, you should:

1.	Save your existing data as a comma separated text file.

2.	Perform a REDI export of one record of the file type you are trying to import by choosing Export from the Tools menu and following the Export Wizard steps.

3.	Open the file in a program like Microsoft Excel.

4.	Modify the data you want to import so that it matches the REDI file format.

5.	Save the data as a Comma Separated Values (CSV) file.

6.	Import the Data into RetailEdge.

Excel may append or strip commas from the file, so it is best to have all data fields (or at least the last data field) filled when creating the file in Excel. Also, you may have to open the file in a text editor like Microsoft Notepad, and remove commas from the data header and footer tags that may have been appended during the Excel conversion to a CSV file.

Minimizing Mistakes

Importing data into your system from an outside source or from another copy of RetailEdge has the potential to create data problems due to the generation of duplicate records or overwriting data with incorrect information. There are few things that you can do to minimize the risk of creating data problems during an import:

1.	Make a RetailEdge backup.

2.	Try importing a single record to determine how RetailEdge will treat the data on an import.

Note: Data conversion can be complicated and time consuming. High Meadow Business Solutions can import the data for you. If you would like us to import your existing data please contact High Meadow Business Solutions' Customer Service at 800-755-9692.