|
|
|
|
What you see will vary from the screenshot below depending upon the file type you select and the contents of that file. In the screenshot below we have selected a Text file, so some of the options listed in the options explanation table are not visible.
Option |
Description |
File type |
Datasource Name |
Here you should allocate a unique name for the Datasource. The name should be as meaningful as possible for you to enable easy identification. |
All |
Remove Source Data |
The practical use of this feature is where you are generating data dynamically and you wish to clear it each time. For example, you may have a text file populated with data from a webpage containing e-mail addresses and files to e-mail to that recipient. After each individual dispatch of the Outbound Rule, the Datasource will be cleared so that you do not send the same information twice. This option should be used with caution as selecting this will remove all the data from the file that you are using to create your Datasource. If you are using a contacts database for example, you will clear all the data held in the table you are using to create the Datasource. Similarly any Excel worksheet will have all the data removed from it. In the case of Access or Excel, the table, worksheet or named range will remain but will be empty of any data. In the case of a text file, you can chose to delete the source file or just empty it of data (leaving either a file with zero bytes or a file with just the field names). Disclaimer: Responsibility for the safe use of this feature lies with the user. Computer Works will accept no responsibility for any data lost as a result of using this feature. However, MailRules 2.01.0040+ provides a limited safeguard against accidental destruction of your data - in such an event, contact MailRules Technical Support using the Help menu - but having said that, we make no guarantees that we can recover your data and ultimately the responsibility lies with the you, the user. |
All, with practical variations depending upon file type. |
Delimiter |
The Delimiter allows you to see how the file is being interpreted by MailRules based on the selected delimiter. You can chose one of the standard delimiters or you can specify your own. MailRules will try to read the chosen file and display the information based on the delimiter. If the information is being displayed in a format that does not clearly separate the data items, then you may need to experiment by choosing a different delimiter until the data is displayed in a meaningful way. If you find that you cannot get the data to display in a way that you can use, your source file may not have been created in the correct format. |
Text files only |
First Row Contains Field Names |
If the first row of the file contains the names of the fields then selecting this option will move those details into the field names of the Datasource. |
MS Excel and Text files only |
Text Qualifier |
If your file has text in it that you wish to have included in the Outbound Rule message, this will help MailRules to identify the text string as being between the chosen qualifiers. Select the appropriate qualifiers from the drop down list. When the information is being displayed in a manner that you can use click Next. |
Text files only |
Sheet or Named Ranges |
Switches between showing you the available worksheets and named ranges in your Excel workbook. |
MS Excel only |
Tables or Queries |
Switches between showing you the available tables and queries in your Access database. |
MS Access only |
Data Export |
Options to allow you to automatically "pipe" datasource details into an Access database or .csv file. |
All |
When you are satisfied that the Datasource wizard is displaying your source data in the correct format, click Next. If you file type was Text or MS Excel, you are now given the opportunity to select alternative field names to those supplied by the wizard. When all the fields have been renamed to suit you, click Next.
You are now given a final opportunity to confirm the Datasource name. Click OK when you are satisfied with the name of your Datasource.