Database Manager lets you share block information among your process databases and third-party applications by copying and pasting them to the clipboard. Copying and pasting blocks between two databases is a quick way to create new ones. This works best when the database you want to create contains blocks similar to existing blocks in other databases. By copying existing blocks, you save time because you only need to change the information that differs between the original block and the new copy.
Copying and pasting between Database Manager and a third-party application lets you quickly modify a block from your text editor or spreadsheet. You can also create new blocks with your third-party application and paste them into Database Manager. This feature can be helpful when you do not have access to iFIX and you want to create new blocks for later inclusion into the process database.
When you copy blocks to the clipboard, Database Manager converts and saves them in comma separated value (CSV) format. Once saved on the clipboard, you can paste the blocks into any application that supports CSV files.
Pasting blocks into Excel requires you to configure the program so that it converts and displays the data correctly. You also need to configure Excel when you drag and drop data from Database Manager or import a database saved in CSV format.
To configure Excel:
- Paste your blocks into an Excel spreadsheet.
- On the Data menu, click Text to Columns.
- Select Delimited.
- Click Next.
- Select the Comma check box.
- Click Finish.
Pasting CSV-based blocks into Database Manager converts and adds them to the process database in memory. If the names of these blocks are already in use, Database Manager prompts you to replace the existing blocks with the ones you are pasting. If you do not replace them, Database Manager generates an error for each duplicate block. You can avoid creating these errors by loading a database that does not contain the blocks you are pasting or by modifying the names of the blocks prior to pasting them into Database Manager.
Database Manager also displays errors if you attempt to paste a block from Excel that is not in the correct format. The easiest way to ensure the block is in the correct format is to export a block of that type from the process database or paste a block into Excel, modify it, and paste the modified block back into Database Manager.
