8.1 IMPORTING DATA

-------------------

Before importing, you need:

  - A valid tab-delimited (or tab-separated) text file

  - Knowledge of the field order in your text file (the sequence of fields)

Steps:

  1. Click the orange INVENTORY (or CUSTOMER) button on the home screen

  2. From the Records menu, choose Export/Import > Import Inventory (or Customers)

  3. In the Open File window, locate your tab-delimited file and click Open

     (or double-click the file name)

  4. The Import Field Mapping screen appears:

     - Left side: data from the first record in your text file (fields listed vertically)

     - Right side: BookHound field names

  5. Align the source fields (left) with the BookHound fields (right) by dragging

     - Click between aligned fields to confirm a right-facing arrow is present

     - Click again to remove the arrow if you don't want that field imported

  6. Click the IMPORT button at lower right

  7. In the next window, check "perform auto-enter options…" and click OK

  8. BookHound imports data into the mapped fields

After import — IMPORTANT:

  Reset the ID sequence so new records don't conflict with imported ones:

  - Click RESET ITEM ID (or RESET CUSTOMER ID) in Preferences > General

    (or Preferences > Customers)

  - Choose "highest" to automatically use the next available number

  - OR choose "choose" to enter a custom starting number (must be higher than any

    existing ID in your database)

8.2 EXPORTING INVENTORY

------------------------

The records exported are always those in the current "found group."

Always perform a search first to select the records you want to export.

Steps:

  1. From the Records menu, choose Export/Import > Export Inventory

  2. In the "Export Records to File" window, choose a location and name the file

  3. Choose the export format from the TYPE drop-down:

     - Tab-delimited (Mac)

     - Tab-separated (Windows)

  4. Click Save

  5. In the next window, the default export fields are shown on the right

     - To export only specific fields, click CLEAR ALL

     - Select "Current Table (Items)" from the drop-down at top left

     - Scroll through the field list and double-click desired fields to add them

       to the right side

     - Reorder fields by clicking and dragging up or down

     - Remove a field by clicking it to highlight it, then clicking CLEAR

  6. Click EXPORT at bottom right

8.3 EXPORTING CUSTOMER DATA

-----------------------------

Steps:

  1. Find the customers you wish to export (perform a search first)

  2. From the Records menu, choose Export Customers

  3. Click the Address button

  4. Select "shipping" or "billing" to export only that address type

  5. Name your export file and choose the file type:

     - Tab-separated or tab-delimited (default — works with most 3rd-party processors)

     - CSV (if specifically directed by the recipient)

  6. Save to your Desktop (recommended) and click Save

  7. In the Specify Field Order for Export window, review the field order

     Tip: Note the field names and their order to share with the file recipient

  8. Click Export

The file will be created at your specified location. You can then email it to

bulk mailing or newsletter services like ConstantContact.