The event import dialog allows you to upload and import events from a text file. The file may be tab, comma or semi-colon delimited (such as is exported by MS Excel for example).

The format of the help file is quite simple and described in the import file format article. There are various ways to specify how the imported events should be handled as relates to duplicate events which is further described in the next section.

The choices available from the 'handle duplicate events' dropdown are:

The choices available from the 'duplicate events have' allows you to specify what it means to find a duplicate event. The choices are:

Updating data and importing, finding duplicates

The first choice is the most accurate at matching existing events. Note: Depending on the contents of your import file more than one imported event may match an existing event. In this case the last event encountered is used to update the database.

If you wish to edit events outside the program for later re-import you should export the eventid field. Then, during re-import, match on eventid. This is the best way to insure correct updating. The other types of duplicate matches (subject, date, time, etc) are not as accurate matching on eventid.

Other fields

The remainder of the fields on this form are read only and display information about the import file. Pay attention to the recognized fields and unrecognized fields lists. This will help you understand how the import will work before it is completed.

Please note that at this point the file has not been imported. This screen only serves as a confirmation before the import occurs. When you press submit the import will actually occur.

Recovering from a botched import

The import feature is non-recoverable. Once the events are imported it is difficult to remove only those that were imported - impossible if duplicates were updated. For this reason you may wish to make an archive of the calendar before you perform the import. See the archive calendar help file for more information.

Format of the import file

The format of the import file is very simple and described fully on the import file format help file page.

Other information on importing

You may use the import feature paired with the export feature to copy events from one calendar to another. First export the events using all fields saving the resulting on your local hard disc. Access the other calendar and upload and import. As of version 4.0.2 a much simpler way to accomplish this same task is to make an archive (or copy), un-archive it and rename it.

The ASCII front end mode feature allows you to do an automatic continuous import of ASCII text data. One may use this feature to present events generated by other software and placed periodically (for example every morning, every hour) in a flat ASCII file.