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How can I transfer data between apps?
How can I transfer data between apps?

Moving data from one form to another.

Mike Meesseman avatar
Written by Mike Meesseman
Updated over a week ago

To transfer data from one app to another, we recommend performing an export/import process. You simply export the data from the origin app and then import that data into the target app. Here is how it's done:

Exporting your Data

To export the data, use either the exporter or the downloader.

When exporting/importing your data we recommend using CSV format, however using a Shapefile will also work.

If you have photos you want to transfer to the other app, make sure you select the option to include them in the exporter.

Record Linked Apps

If you have record linked apps, recreating the links can be a bit of a longer process. This is due to the records getting new record IDs when they are being imported into the new apps.

The best way to do this is to rename the record_id column in the data file to something else. Then in the app, create a text field that will be used to map the information from the column. This will allow you to see the original ID and the new ID. Starting from the linked app, import the data into Fulcrum as new records. Then run an export and use that data file to replace the record IDs in the data file with the record link field. After everything is completed, you can delete the text field from the app.

Notes

  • The created and edited timestamps and system fields will be changed to the current timestamp and user account importing the data, as the system treats them as new records.

  • Do not select the option to include full history when exporting the data out of the original app. History cannot be transferred to the new app and including the history will just result in a record being created for every record version that is included in the data file.

Importing Your Data

Once you have exported and downloaded the ZIP file that is produced you can take that ZIP file and directly import it into the new app as new records.

Notes

  • When importing data and photos, make sure that the uploaded ZIP file contains all the photos and the data files. The importer will see that the photo ID is already in use but since the photo is present it will upload the photo and rename the photo file.

  • When uploading data in a repeatable section, make sure to include both the parent and child data files. There is no need to worry about the record IDs like with record linking, but the importer does need the parent file to import any child records.

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