(Comments) IMPORTING / EXPORTING COMMENTS FOR PHOTOS

There are times when you need to get the comments for your files from another database system. Also, you may want to take your comments and feed them into another database program. This sections describes how to do just that.

NOTE: There is a special import feature that uses the filename as the comment for the file.

INTEGRATION WITH OTHER DATABASES:

Let's suppose you have all your filenames and comments stored in some other database software. It could be SQL, or Excel, or PhotoPlus, or MasterView etc... Provided these systems allow you to "Export" the data to a CSV file (comma delimited text file), then you can later "Import" this data file into Photo Jockey so that your comments will appear within Photo Jockey. Also, let's say you want to move your comments out of Photo Jockey and feed them into your other database software for more advanced editing. You can do this with the "Export" feature.

IMPORTING:
Provided you have your CSV file already created, you can choose from the Main Menu the "Comments" menu item. Then choose the "Import Comments/Descriptions" option. You are given the options of:

Import from a CSV file (normal): This is the standard way of importing

Special import: This allows the comments to come from the filename itself

The special import uses the filenames as the comment. This is handy for people who name their files very descriptively and want the filename to be the actual comment. You are then given the option to:

REPLACE: Replace current comment with new comment

INSERT: Insert the new comment in front of the current comment

ADD: Add the new comment to the end of the current comment

This is useful so that you don't lose any comments you may currently have for your files. You are then given the choice to apply the new comments to:

1. TAGGED Files: Only tagged files in the current folder will get their comments updated.

2. ALL files in current folder: Only files in the current folder will get their comments updated.

3 ALL files in any folder: Comments can be updated for files that exist in any folder. The CSV file contains all the filenames that should get new comments.

So, if your CSV file refers to files in many folders, you can control which files actually get their comments updated. If you are using the "Special Import" feature, then only choices 2 & 3 will be available. If you are using the "Import from a CSV file (Normal)" feature, then you will be asked to select the CSV file to use. After selecting the CSV file, you are then shown a Import Fields Selection screen that allows you to pick which data field to use as the FILENAME and which field to use as the COMMENTS. That way if your CSV file contains MANY fields, you can indicate which fields you want to use.

Once all your options have been selected the import process will begin. For folders with less than 400 files, the operation should take a few seconds. If you have thousands of files, then it may take a bit longer.

EXPORTING:
Let's say you want to take all your comments for the files in the current folder and feed them into another database program. You can use this export feature. Choose from the Main Menu the "Comments" menu item. Then choose the "Export Comments/Descriptions" option. You can select either ALL files or TAGGED files. Then give the CSV filename to save. Then the process takes but a few seconds. The resulting CSV file can now be used as an import file into most other database programs.



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