AX1436

Importing and exporting files

You can import external files into the Axiom file system, and you can export Axiom files from the file system to a local folder or network share. This can be done using the Axiom Explorer dialog or the Explorer task pane.

Importing files

To import an external file into a folder in the Axiom file system, you must be an administrator or have read/write access to the folder. This is the same level of permissions required to save a new file within a folder.

Most folders in Axiom are limited to holding files of a certain type. For example, the Scheduler Jobs Library can only hold Scheduler jobs, and the Imports Library can only hold import utilities. If you attempt to import a file into a folder and that file type is not allowed in that folder, the import will be prevented.

A few folders do not have file type restrictions. For example, the Reports Library can contain files such as Word files, PowerPoint files, and image files in addition to Axiom reports. These files can be referenced throughout the system—such as a logo file that is referenced by various reports and forms.

NOTES:  

  • If you import a file that has the same name as a file that is already in the folder, then the imported file will replace the current file and retain the current document ID. This is important for cases where you want the imported file to be recognized as the "same" file, so that shortcuts and other references to the file remain intact.

    If you have read/write access to a particular Axiom file but not its folder, then you cannot use import to overwrite the file. Instead, you can open the external file within Axiom, and then use Save As (Repository) to overwrite the existing file.

  • When you import a spreadsheet file into the Axiom file system, any passwords relating to workbook/worksheet protection will be removed from the file. This is to put the imported file in a state where it can be opened by Axiom. If the file is an Axiom file with protection enabled on the Control Sheet, that protection will be reapplied when the file is opened (using the system-applied password as appropriate).

    If Axiom is unable to remove the protection-related passwords from the file (for example, if there is a file-level password on the file), then the file cannot be imported.

To import a file into the Axiom file system:

  1. On the Axiom tab, in the Administration group, click Manage > Axiom Explorer.

    NOTE: In systems with installed products, this feature may be located on the Admin tab. In the System Management group, click System Browser.

    You can also import files using the Explorer task pane.

  2. Navigate to the folder where you want to import the file, then right-click and select Import Files.
  3. In the Select File to Import dialog, select the file to import from your local drive or a network file share, and then click Open. You can also select multiple files to import.

  4. If a file with the same name already exists in the folder, you are prompted to confirm that you want to overwrite the existing file. Click Yes if you want to overwrite the existing file, retaining the same document ID.

    NOTE: When overwriting an existing file, you must also have read/write access to that file.

The selected file is imported to the folder.

Exporting files

If a file is visible to you in Axiom Explorer or the Explorer task pane, you can export it. The most common reason to export an Axiom file is to import it into another Axiom system.

Any file in the Axiom file system can be exported using the Export command. For Axiom spreadsheet files (such as reports), there are two export options:

  • Non-administrator users can use Export, which exports the file in the same state that it would appear to the user in Axiom. This means that workbook/worksheet protection is applied to the exported file (if enabled on the Control Sheet), and "refresh on open" Axiom queries are run. Effectively, this is the same behavior as if the user had opened the file in Axiom, then used Save As (Local) to save a copy of the file outside of Axiom.

  • Administrator users have access to a second option called Export Without Refresh. This can be used to export the file as it exists in the database—without applying protection, and without running "refresh on open" queries.

To export a file from the Axiom file system:

  1. On the Axiom tab, in the Administration group, click Manage > Axiom Explorer.

    NOTE: In systems with installed products, this feature may be located on the Admin tab. In the System Management group, click System Browser.

    You can also export files using the Explorer task pane.

  2. Navigate to the file that you want to export, then right-click and select Export or Export Without Refresh.

    In the Axiom Explorer dialog only, you can select multiple items to export. Multiple selection is not available in the Explorer task pane.

  3. In the Export Repository File dialog, navigate to the local folder or network file share where you want to save the exported copy, and then click Save.

The exported copy is saved to the designated location.