Question

I know this question has been asked before, HowToImportDataToForms and HowToImportAndExportToTwiki ,but there is no universal answer on how to import data.

It is unnecessary to have various plugins for each file format as data can now be easily transformed into text/XML. Documenting the process and file format would be more beneficial

I'm trying to import data for a Requirements management system, originally written in Word the requirements can transformed XML, HTML, CSV, and text.

For a corporate deployment the importing and exporting of data is essential. This area needs to be properly addressed by Twiki.

Thanks.

Environment

-- JulianHo - 30 Jul 2006

Answer

If you answer a question - or someone answered one of your questions - please remember to edit the page and set the status to answered. The status selector is below the edit box.

This is not a question that is easily answered as I understand it.

Perhaps raise this issue in Codev, and give some specific examples on the imports / exports you are asking for? Best including example source Word documents and example output TWiki topics, to bring light to the issue.

Personally I think it is way more important for us to target Wikipedia:OpenDocument conversions instead, as governments in many countries are starting to use this format in the public sector as a whole and it is without licensing issues.

You will find some support for OpenOffice already through OpenOffice2TWikiAddOn and others.

Another issue with developing Word converters / utilities is that many of us don't own a copy of neither windows or office, so there are other limitations on this part as well.

-- SteffenPoulsen - 30 Jul 2006

Yes, an easy and generic way to import content in batch mode is needed.

This functionality could be provided by a Plugin:

• Form to import data:
  • Specify zip file to attach
    • zip file contains all files to convert to topics
  • Specify how topic name is created:
    • Use filename as is, with unsupported chars filtered out
    • Wikify topic name, possibly with base name
    • Auto-generated names with base name such as ReqID, to create ReqID001, ReqID001, ReqID001, etc
  • Specify input format (csv, xml, html)
  • Specify transformation rules?

Anyone interested in creating this?

-- PeterThoeny - 05 Aug 2006