Mapping Generic Database Fields to SBM Fields

The Map External Source Fields to Destination Fields dialog box is provided for mapping fields from the database you are importing from to SBM fields. You can also specify a constant imported value for these fields if needed.

Considerations for mapping source fields from generic ODBC databases to SBM fields:

• All fields in the destination database that begin with an asterisk (*) must be mapped to a source field or you must specify a "constant" value that is set for all imported records. For details on providing constant values, refer to Specifying Constant Field Values for Import.

• If you map an integer source field to an SBM field that is a foreign key, or referential, field, the source field is also treated as a foreign key and you must indicate reference columns in the source table in order to map field values correctly. The Options: Generic Referential Field Information dialog box automatically opens when you map onto a foreign key field, and you must specify a reference table and columns before continuing. For details, refer to Mapping Generic Referential Field Information.

• Source fields can be mapped to multiple destination fields; however, SBM fields can be mapped only once for generic ODBC database imports.

• If you want to establish ownership based a source field, map this field to the Owner field. Because values in the Owner field change as users transition items through a workflow, if you map a source field to the Owner field, you should also map this source field to another User field in the receiving database so that data is retained.

The following information and options on the Map External Source Fields to Destination Fields dialog box apply to imports from generic ODBC databases:

• Source Field – The left pane contains a list of fields from the source table selected on the Specify Data to Import dialog box. The list contains the database field name and type for each field. When a source field is mapped, it is marked with a plus (+) sign.

  Note: If a source field is preceded by an asterisk (*), you must map the field to a fixed-length Text field in the destination database because you have selected the source field as a unique text identifier. For details, refer to Specifying a Generic Data Source Import Table.

• Destination Field – The right pane contains a list of SBM fields available for mapping in the destination table selected on the Specify Data Destination dialog box. The right column of the right pane displays the mapping status for each destination field as follows:

  • Empty - If the right pane is empty next to a destination field, this field has not been mapped and a constant value has not been provided for the field.

  • Field Name – When a destination field is mapped to a source field, the source field name is listed in the right column of the right pane.

  • Set to - When a constant value is set for the destination field, [Set to: VALUE] appears in the right column of the right pane.

• Map – To map fields, select a source field and a destination field, and then click Map.

• Unmap – To unmap fields, select a mapped field in the right pane, and then click Unmap.

• Unmap All Fields – Click this button to unmap all source fields and destination fields.

• Options – Select an unmapped destination field, and then click this button to specify a constant value that is set for the field for all records for the generic ODBC import. This button is only enabled for fields that are not already mapped. For details, refer to Specifying Constant Field Values for Import.

After mapping source fields to destination fields or specifying a constant value for destination fields, click Next to continue.