Basic Enum questions

[VicM]

Hi,

From what I've read, I'd like to utilize Enums to keep track of columns in an Excel spreadsheet that's used to import data into a database. The company supplying the spreadsheet has had a penchant for changing, adding and deleting columns over the last couple of years. It's become a nightmare to recode the data import routine.

What I'd like to know is once I've established the Enums for the columns, if a column is added, I know I have to add that column to the Enum collection. If that column is added somewhere within the existing columns changing the column numbers of all that follow, do I physically have to reassign the column numbers following the added column? Or does that happen automatically once I tell the collection what the new column number is?

And if I put the Enum collection in its own Module in the DB, would there be a way for me to automate changes to the collection through a form the user can access?

Thanks,
Vic

 

[SkipVought]

Hi,

If the text file you get does not have consistent 1) column names/data types/position left to right, 2) missing column names or 3) new column names you have a real tripple nightmare.

Short of comparing a list you maintain with the imported columns for existence, data type & position, I don’t know what you could programmatically do with certainty.

But I don’t know the specifics. You’ve posted no examples of the kinds of anomalyies you can expect, and therefore program for, so what happens in vagueness stays in vagueness.

Skip,
[sub]
Just traded in my OLD subtlety...
for a NUance![/sub]

 

[VicM]

Thanks Skip.

I'll just have to have the user check the columns to make sure the titles, positions and types are correct before processing the import.

Vic

 

[combo]

If you can send them a template to fill in, you could set headers and protect worksheet with adding/deleting columns disabled (one of protection options).

combo

 

[DjangMan]

Or you can check that the document is in the correct format before processing and alert the user if there is a problem.

 

[VicM]

combo
Thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately, the company supplying the spreadsheet data is privately owned and doesn't respond to inquiries. From their perspective, supplying the data is a necessary evil and they'll do it any way they choose.

DjangMan, that's what I think I'll have to do in this situation.

Thanks folks,

Vic