How to Import Data directly in to Contributor using excel?

[Radhika]

Hi All,

Can any one tell me how to import data into contributor using excel, i am not speaking at web client level.

Thanks
Radhika

[mrobby]

Depends on wether or not you want to use analyst as the staging area and then load up from Analyst to Contributor or if you want to directly load into contributors import tables.  Another option is if you are on Cognos 8 Planning and have access to FM Package data.

1.  Using Analayst as staging area.
   a.  Set up an ODBC to the excel file
      i.  Load from an ODBC to the excel file into a staging cube in analyst
      ii.  Run a link from the Analsyt cube to your contributor application.
      iii.  If your link targeted development then you will need to GTP your application to force the reconcile
   b.  Set up a your excel file as a data source in FM
      i.  Once you have set up your excel file in FM, publish the package.
      ii.  Follow the steps in a. but use the FM Package as your source instead of the ODBC.
   c.  Save the excel file as a .txt or .csv  (Either manually or through Macro)
      i.  Setup a file map to the flat file.
      ii.  Same steps as above using mapped ASCII file as your source.

2.  Loading directly into Contributor
   a.  Save the excel file as a .txt or .csv  (Either manually or through Macro)
      i.  Load your flat file into the import data section of contributor and go through the steps necessary to import data directly.
   b.  It is possible to use an ETL tool to load data directly into the import table where your datastore is located.
      ii.  This method can be more complicated but many people use this method as it can be the best from a performance perspective.

[Radhika]

Thanks a lot for your help.

Radhika