The ODBC Adapter is used to import (insert), export (select) and amend (update) tables from any chosen ODBC source. As well being attached to the READ (export) side, the Adapter can also be used on the WRITE (import) side. The only prerequisite is an installed ODBC driver for your data source.

 

General tab

Connection and authentication

ODBC source: There are two possible ways to identify the ODBC source here.

1. Using a configured ODBC source entry. ODBC sources are administered using the Windows option: Start->Control Panel->Administrative Tools->ODBC

2. Using a complete ODBC connection string
   Driver={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};DBQ=C:ExamplesNorthwind.mdb
   
   The links below provide detailed examples of connection strings for a variety of data sources:
   
   http://www.connectionstrings.com/
   http://www.connectionstrings.de/

User / Password: If you enter values here, these are used to assemble the ODBC connection string. Let us suppose we have entered for ODBC data source [FlowHeater], for User [Me] and Password [Secret], the ODBC connection string would be assembled with:

DSN=FlowHeater; UID=Me; PWD=Secret

Important:The password entered is only permanently stored if you check the "Save Password" option. Should a password be saved, it is stored in an encrypted form in the Definition data.

Common

Insert data: When this option is checked, SQL Insert statements are generated.

Ignore existing records: During an import and when this option is checked, records that already exist in the table are ignored.

Empty the table before importing: When this is checked you tell the ODBC Adapter to empty the contents of the table prior to running the import, effectively deleting all existing rows.

Update data: When this option is checked, SQL Update statements are generated. Note: If both the Insert and Update options are checked, the ODBC Adapter checks whether an SQL Update or Insert should be generated in each instance, by reference to the PrimaryKey. Tip: If you are certain there is only data to insert then avoid checking the Update option, as this will make the process significantly faster.

No updates or inserts to data, only generate an SQL script: When this option is checked, it signals the ODBC Adapter to make no inline changes to the database, but instead to store an SQL script with Insert and/or Update statements. This is useful for testing during development and for subsequent application to the database. If this option is checked you should also check the option below and enter the filename that the SQL statements are to be stored in.

Generate SQL script: This option instructs the ODBC Adapter to store the change statements (Insert, Update) as an SQL script file with the specified name and path.

 

Fields / Data types tab

SQL: data available varies according to the side of the Adapter in use:

On the READ side: here you can choose from Tables and Views.
On the WRITE side: only Tables are available.

On the READ side you also have the possibility to enter complex SQL statements in the text field. Table joins must be defined by hand. In the second combo box the tables and views are listed that are available in the specified ODBC database.

Fields: When you click the Load Schema button, information is retrieved from the database schema (field names, field sizes, data types, primary key, etc.) for the SQL statement above. The information about the fields is then loaded into the field list to the left of this button.
Note: The fields in the field list can be ordered in any sequence required. Fields that are not required can either be temporarily disabled here (tick removed) or simply deleted.

Field properties: How the properties of Primary Key and Auto Increment for the currently highlighted field are to be interpreted are adjusted. This information is only required on the WRITE side. No changes are needed here generally, since the correct information is usually obtained directly from the schema.

    A PrimaryKey field is used in an Update to identify record that possibly exists.
    Auto Increment fields are neither assigned nor amended in Insert/Update statements.

Warning: If you make changes here it can result in more than one record being updated with an Update!

 

Adapter settings in the Format tab

The use of the Format tab is described in detail under general information about the usage of Adapters