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 Merging Data Extracts

Use

You can merge two data extracts created by the DART data extraction utility to combine their data. For example, if you have extracted data separately for each fiscal period, you can use the merge utility to combine data for the whole fiscal year.

You may merge two data extracts from two different systems.

Prerequisites

The data extracts you merge must have been created with the DART data extraction utility.

The two source extracts must contain data from the same fiscal year.

You must provide enough hard disk space on the application server for a temporary sort buffer for this operation. To obtain an estimate for the size of the space you need to reserve, use the File size worksheet utility .

Procedure

  1. In the main DART screen, choose Start of the navigation path Utilities Next navigation step Merge data extracts End of the navigation path .

  2. Enter data as described below:

    Field/Group

    Action

    Source extract 1 and Source extract 2

    Enter the source extracts and related directory sets .

    If any one of the source extracts had been created on another system, you may have to enter its name manually. It would not be listed in the value help list.

    Target extract (Data file name, Directory set)

    Enter the target extract name and its directory set.

    Description

    Describe the target extract.

    Note icon

    Enter a note explaining the reasons for the rebuild in more details.

    Merge source extract notes

    Set this indicator if you wish to include the notes from the source extract in the merged target extract.

    Regardless of your selection in this field, the system includes a short description of the source extract as part of a note included in the target extract.

    If you enter any note for the merged extract, then the note in that extract includes three parts: you note for the source extract, the system note, and your note for the target extract.

    Compress data

    Set this indicator to compress the merged extract.

    You may use any setting, regardless of whether the source extract had been compressed or not.

    Calculate data checksums

    Set this indicator to include checksums for the segments in the target extract.

  3. Choose Execute .

Result

The system merges the data from the two extracts into a single extract. It displays information on the resulting extract(s), and statistical information on the segments in it.

The system merges data from equivalent segments from the two source extracts into one segment in the target extracts. If the merged segment contains master data, the system removes duplicate records. The system does not remove duplicate records for segments containing transaction data. The two source extracts remain intact.

Merging large extracts puts huge demands on memory or temporary sort space and is not feasible in many cases. However, merging extracts is usually not necessary. The view query tool can query multiple extracts at a time. View queries can also append to already existing files.