About validating data during import

When you import data into an existing FileMaker Pro file, you can validate the data during import. FileMaker Pro will skip importing records and fields that don’t match your validation requirements, and report the number of skipped records and fields when the import operation is complete.

To validate data during import:

In the target file, define validation options for the fields for which you want imported data validated during the import process.
For information on defining validation options for fields, see Defining field validation. Use the Always validation option to ensure that validation occurs during import.
Import the data into the target file.
Follow the instructions in one of the following sections to import the data:
- Importing data into an existing file
- Importing a folder of files all at once
- Importing XML data
- Querying an ODBC data source from FileMaker Pro
When the import process is complete, check the Import Summary dialog box for the number of records and fields that were skipped during import.
The following table describes when data validation failures cause a record or a field to be skipped.

Item skipped	When
A record	A field is defined with either the Not empty or Validated by calculation field validation option, and the validation fails for a record during import. Note Unlike all other validation options, the Not empty or Validated by calculation options are evaluated when FileMaker Pro attempts to commit each record. Therefore, these types of validation failures cause the entire record to be skipped. (All the other field validation options are evaluated when FileMaker Pro attempts to commit each field.)
A field	A field you’re importing into is defined with any other field validation option, and the validation fails during import. Note A skipped field does not prevent other fields in the same record from being imported.

Item skipped

When

A record

A field is defined with either the Not empty or Validated by calculation field validation option, and the validation fails for a record during import.

Note Unlike all other validation options, the Not empty or Validated by calculation options are evaluated when FileMaker Pro attempts to commit each record. Therefore, these types of validation failures cause the entire record to be skipped. (All the other field validation options are evaluated when FileMaker Pro attempts to commit each field.)

A field

A field you’re importing into is defined with any other field validation option, and the validation fails during import.

Note A skipped field does not prevent other fields in the same record from being imported.

Notes

Data validation errors are only one reason that records and fields may be skipped during import. For other reasons, see step 11 in Setting the import action and mapping fields during import.