Import Data into Registers

User Level: Beginner

** This needs to be updated when the project create and save wizards are fully functioning **

There are 4 ways data is imported into Civil Pro:

1. CSV Importer - Flat table like data from any program such as a CSV or copied via clipboard.
2. Hierarchical data previously exported from Civil Pro.
3. Importing from Repository - Civil Pro registers imported from other repository (repo) projects.
4. Transferring Data - Copying parts or all of an existing project between projects.

CSV (comma separated values)

Flat table like data (CSV) can be imported using the Import Wizard and can be from any program that create this type of data such as Excel or Expert Estimate.

Importing CSVs is available in the following registers:

• Schedule Items
• Work Types
• Area Codes
• Control Lines
• Tag Codes
• Test methods (without result fields)
• ITP Detail
• Documents

The example below shows importing Work Types.

To import into Civil Pro:

1. Select the import option from the Context Menu or from the Action Menu of the register for the type of data you are using.
2. Select the csv file you want to import or click import from clipboard. Your browser may prompt for access permission to your clipboard
3. Civil Pro will handle the data importing and display. You should now see a screen like below.

4. Select the correct header for your data. If your CSV file has headers already defined they will automatically set the header. If your header doesn't automatically fill you click on the header row and select the correct column header. Any columns without a header will not be imported. 

Hierarchical data

Hierarchical data is produced from Civil Pro for copying between projects and is used when data contains multiple levels – for example an ITP which has to record a list of ITPs, the line items for each ITP and then the testing for each line item. Imports of this nature do not occur very often (ITP Register, Test Method Register and Custom Project Reports) but are extremely easy to manage.

To export hierarchical data:

1. Select the Export Menu item from the Context Menu or Action Menu for the appropriate register.

Importing is the opposite process. The Hierarchical Data Importer is pictured below. You can access the Hierarchical Data Importer from the Context Menu or the Action Menu from the following Registers.

Importing is a one step process. As the CPX files are already in the correct format for Civil Pro Cloud, once you choose the file your upload will begin immediately. 

 

 

Importing from repository projects

Any project can be marked as a Repository Project, to learn how click here. Where a project is marked as a Repository, Project Administrators can copy part or all of a register from that project into the current one. Importing from a Repo is accessed from the right-click Context Menu or from the Action Menu.

Repository imports are currently available in the following registers:

• Work Types
• Test Methods
• Specifications (ITP)
• Suppliers (optionally inc Resources)
• Cost Codes
• Test Properties
• Risk Templates

To import from a Repository:

1. Select the appropriate Import from Repository menu item from the Context Menu => Import/Export of a register with this feature.
2. Select the repository project in the Project Selector at the top of the screen.
3. Select the records you want to import (select all with Ctrl+A).
4. Click Save.

Importing from other projects / transferring projects

System Administrators can transfer part or all of a project to create another project. The target database will either be newly created (always the case for standalone) or an existing Civil Pro database.

IMPORTANT – BEFORE STARTING

• Make a backup of the database you are copying from and, if the target database already exists – back that up too.
• Ensure both the source and target database are the same current version. If they are not, simply log in to each and they will be upgraded automatically.

Transferring Data

This example shows the use of the Transfer Project Data Wizard to change a standalone project into a server based. The opposite can be used to take a copy of a server based project as a standalone project. Creating the source and destination connections is exactly the same as when making a new connection to log in to a project.

A simplified version of this process is used to import data from other projects as part of the New Project Wizard.

1. In the the Program Menu, select Project=>Transfer Project Data.
2. In the first screen of the wizard, select the source database and project. In this screenshot, we are copying an existing standalone project. Click Next.