Importing data from Excel to sources
Solving a number problem
Hello,
I would like to import data from an Excel file containing approximately 1,500 sources into the sources.
The fields are as follows:
RM-ID, repository, folder, reference number, analysis of source. Most of the sources are references from public and private archives.
The problem is that I know nothing about SQL, and my advanced age prevents me from delving into the subject.
Is this possible, and would there be a kind soul willing to help me ?
Because you have skills in Excel and your data resides in its file structure, a better approach might be to work on a conversion from spreadsheet to GEDCOM and importing the latter into RootsMagic. A Google search offers up this Gemini assisted summary:
AI Overview
Converting a spreadsheet (Excel or CSV) to a GEDCOM file for genealogy involves using specialized tools like Excel2GED, Gramps, or GedTool to map columns to standardized genealogical tags. The process requires organizing data into columns (Name, Birth, Death, etc.) and, for complex data, defining relationships using IDs to link individuals.
There are references in the extended results that will give you some examples. The GEDCOM approach opens up the potential for assistance in forums other than this one.
Doing it with SQL is also possible but then you are totally dependent on the gracious assistance of someone else. Will that be available to see it through to a successful conclusion?
And for someone here to jump in with a possible solution, I think they would want to inspect your Excel file first to understand what's in each column and whether the data is consistently structured.
I like Tom's suggestion.
I often jump in to these kinds of things, but I'm pretty overwhelmed with other projects right now. However, I am curious: do you already know which source template you would be using? You can't add a source without a source template.
This seems difficult to do this with GEDCOM because it involves relationships, the sources are handled differently in RM, and the individuals are already in RM, but I will try to find out more.
The choice of source template is part of the issue because I want to simplify things by including the repository reference in the source template without having to establish a link to the RM repository field.
Gaspard-
Your question has gotten me a bit interested.
I've been thinking of a utility that would import from a spreadsheet.
Please post may 10 rows of your spreadsheet along with explanation of columns and maybe I'll look into it.