Running the Data Loader

  1. Start the Data Loader.
  2. Select the definition file to be used by selecting it from the recently used definition file list or browse to the location of the definition file. If you are selecting an .adb file from the recently used definition file list, you must click on a file name in the list to enable the OK button, even if there is only one item in the list.
  3. Click OK. If you are asked for a password, specify the password and click OK. The Data Loader Selection dialog box opens.
  4. In the Data File box, specify the full path and name of the file containing the data to be loaded, or browse to the location of the data file. A data file can have either a .TXT or .CSV extension.
  5. In the Configuration File field, specify the full path and name of the configuration file, or browse to the location of the configuration file. The configuration file must have a .CFG extension.
  6. In the Commit to database area, select one of these options:
    • Overwrite data. This option overwrites the existing data in the database.
    • Ignore error. If you have chosen to overwrite data, you can then choose to ignore errors during the load process. If Ignore error is selected, the load process does not stop when an error is encountered and the line in error is not loaded, unless the errors exceed the maximum number allowed. See the MaxErrors option for further information.
    • Accumulate data. if you want to add data values from the data file to existing data values already in the database. You cannot ignore errors if you select this option. This is done to protect the integrity of your existing data. If an error is encountered, the load processes stops and no changes are made to the data in the database. This option does not apply to ownership data as ownership data is always overwritten.
  7. Select the Update Submission Status check box if you want to update the submission status of the data. This option does not apply when loading ownership data.
  8. Click Load when you are done making selections. Click OK when prompted to confirm the name and location of the data file and the configuration file.

    The load process proceeds according to the selections you made. A status dialog box lets you know that the process is running.