External database

[wables]

I am working with two external databases. The two external database file types are ".dbf" and ".mdb"

Unfortunately, the ".mdf" and ".dbf" have different Fields of data and I would like to use some of the Field data that is in the ".dbf" and ".mdb" files. There is a common and unique key Field that I could associate the two data sets to create a new data set with the desired Fields of data from each file.

I currently have the ".dbf" linked to the object in my drawing and would like to add the desired Fields of data from the ".mdb"

Can anyone help?

[mjfarrell]

Unfortunately, the ".mdf" and ".dbf" have different Fields of data and I would like to use some of the Field data that is in the ".dbf" and ".mdb" files. There is a common and unique key Field that I could associate the two data sets to create a new data set with the desired Fields of data from each file.

I currently have the ".dbf" linked to the object in my drawing and would like to add the desired Fields of data from the ".mdb"

OK, If the goal is to merge the two files into one and continue to use
the same key field and link template.
Close MAP,
Rename the currently linked file.
Then use you application to import the data from each of your existing files
into a new file and save it with the database name that was previously linked.
Then open MAP and create the new links for your objects if required.
Basically by importing the data into a new file as additional fields
your existing links will remain, only now you will be able to query based on
the fields that were previously in two different databases.

If the goal is to create links to both datasets, that isn't a problem either.
Drag that mdb file into your work session, create your link template, generate your links.

If I've totally missed it, smack me and I'll try again.

[wables]

Sorry,
I did not explain myself about combining the two data sets. I do not or at least not aware
of having an application/software that will combine my two data sets.

I just meant that there is a common key field between the two datasets.

[mjfarrell]

That's OK, I would smash them together if that
was what you needed.
So just run with option two, drag that other file
the MDB from explorer into your workspace
create a new link template and create your links.
You will need to add a statement to your query to
get the data that is unique to each database to appear
on screen or in your reports.

[wables]

Thank you for your help thus far

One more obstacle.

The ".mdb" file has a lot more records than the ".dbf", and therefor takes too long to query from

I would like to bring in the Fields from only the records in the ".mdb" file that exist in the ".dbf" file

[mjfarrell]

You can view that data table in MAP, high-light a field, right-click
and select HIDE to not display those additional fields.

[JeremiahM]

If you have MS Access you can open the .mdb file and then import the .dbf file as another table. If you set the common field in each table to be your Primary Key you can create a query to do what you ask. In the query tool do a "Make Table" query using both tables and all of their fields. The default will joing the two tables with the Primary Key field and the default properties of that join is to bring in only matching fields. This will create a third table that will be the result of the two that you can then link to Map (probably just by modifying your current data link).

Hope I didn't confuse you,

Jeremiah

[jmarcum]

I looked under the Query command, and there is no option to Make Table. Where is this located? I am wanting to combine two tables also, and have been looking for hours on how to do this. Please help if you can!

Judith Marcum

[mjfarrell]

I'm thought he was using the REPORT option under query.
I took a deeper look at it and he is referring to the
Query Builder found when one issues the DBConnect command.
in regular AutoCAD not in MAP

[JeremiahM]

You need to build the query/table in Microsoft Access. I think it could be done in Map, but it is probably fairly time comsuming and convaluded.

Jeremiah