Nested tables and the group attribute

As we saw in Exercise 12: Appending data to a table, the Import Tool does not know the relationship between columns. This is of particular issue when building a CSV Import data file: when we attempt to append more than one row to an outer table (Tasks in this example) and specify data for inner (nested) tables, we can end up with identical Column headings in the Import data file. As we have seen, the solution is to employ the Group attribute.

  1. Modify exercise14_train1.csv (where Train1 is your login name) as follows:

Column Name

(Row 1)

Record 1

(Row 2)

irn

[The IRN noted at Step 4 in Exercise 11].

TasDescription_tab(+ group='1')

Task 4

TasDescription_tab(+ group='2')

Task 5

TasPersonAssignedToRef_nesttab(+ group='1':1).NamLast

[Your login name]

TasPersonAssignedToRef_nesttab(+ group='1':2).NamLast

Train18

TasPersonAssignedToRef_nesttab(+ group='2':1).NamLast

[Your login name]

TasPersonAssignedToRef_nesttab(+ group='2':2).NamLast

Train17

As we have seen, to ensure that there are no issues with the alignment of rows we must include all relevant rows in our Import data file:

TasTaskAssignerRef_tab(+ group='1').NamLast

TasCommencementDate0(+ group='1')

TasStartNotifyDate0(+ group='1')

TasCompleted_tab(+ group='1')

TasTimeTakenOnTask_tab(+ group='1')

TasCompletionDate0(+ group='1')

TasEndNotifyDate0(+ group='1')

TasCompletionNotifyRef_nesttab(+ group='1':1).NamLast

Note: In this exercise, as we're not adding any values to these columns for group 1 or 2, there's no need to include them in the Import data file. If we were including values for these fields for group2, we would have to include these columns for both groups 1 and 2, even if we had no values for these fields in group 1.

Note: Note that the Group attribute always follows the update modifier +.

  1. Save the file and perform a Typical import.

    When successful, your updated record will be similar to:

    mod_events_nested18_train.gif

    The Group attribute ties the related columns together, ensuring that the inner able values are associated with the correct outer row.