Data Loader

The Data Loader loads data from a text file (for example, .TXT or .CSV file) into the database. While this can be done with third-party relational database tools, the Data Loader simplifies the data load process because it has built-in intelligence about the database's table structures and member IDs.

• You can use member names rather than member IDs.
• Its built-in intelligence can be used to ensure that calculated or consolidated data are not overwritten. For example, it can prevent loading data to downfoot or formula lines and consolidated members.
• It can automatically update the submission status of the loaded data so that the Submission Status report does not report the loaded data as missing.
• At the end of an ownership data load, it can validate the integrity of the existing data and update the ownership Unit Type property. The Data Loader does not distinguish between Control Holding and Holding units. Once the data is loaded, you need to manually modify the Unit Type property.

The Data Loader handles both fixed and delimited file formats. To load data, two files are required. First, a text file should be created from the source of the data. It can be either a fixed or delimited file. The second requirement is a text configuration file (.CFG) that describes the data file. These files are described later.