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I'd appreciate the option to import existing collection databases from Microsoft Access or Excel.

We don't have the option to import, nor are there any plans for an import. Other users can attest to the fact that it is very quick and easy to enter your colleciton, even if you have thousands of books.

I have over 300 comics and it took me only a week to enter the information.

Well, I did try it and found that for the 1,400+ issues I had a large run of it went fast, but there are those odd issues out...ones where I've only got 1-2 from an entire series and am not sure I want to download the hole thing.

I've pretty much decided that it works best to maintain both, at least for now. No offense, but my own Access database is most customizable and simple. Also easiest to send to people. This is much cooler though, don't worry

Being able to import would make you database out of this world. Of course it is very easy to put the issues in via the website... but what about when you want to put price you paid and condition? I tested this out and had to open up the individual record and then for condition go through a 12 step process to have the comic graded.

Have you thought of taking a report that you export into Excel, then if only change the data in those field exactly like it they are exported so that you could then import them back into you data field?

I exported to Excel then updated the paid field to reflect the discounts I get from the local comic shop and the marvel subscription discount in like 20 minutes using simple Excel formulas... now if I could import them back into the CCL database... that would be awesome.

If you are inserting runs of issues within a title, you can grade many books at one time. It is under the Add Many feature.

An import from our data might be possible if we exported the IDs along with the records so we'd know what to pull back in. Importing from a random datasource isn't going to happen. I've discussed the why part of that in several other threads.

I find it pretty quick to input books but the thing that throws a wrench in the works is the gaps in the Dbase. For instance different print runs that may not be enterred yet. I put in a change request for them but then I have to remember to add them later once they are approved right? Seems like an easy way to create mistakes in my collection.

I have to admit I am VERY impressed with the utility, but the lack of importing may keep me from using it. 8(

I've been collecting since the mid-70s and have 20+ longboxes already catalogued in an Access file from another service.

Re-entering 30-years worth of collecting (especially where gaps are concered) is a daunting task...

I have over a thousand comics to input so would also appreciate an import facility.

The ComicBase application has a nice import feature which searches for possible matches when it finds a comic it can't match.

You mentioned you have discussed why import functionality isn't planned in several other threads; can you point me to these as I couldn't find them.

Thanks.

Its a daunting task yes! but,most of us have had to do this.We thought it was a good way to get back in touch with our
collections I have over 6000 books and still going! so excuse me if i say you are not the lone ranger! this is a great service
and with your input and knowledge of your books you can make it that much better!

I also have a 6000+ issue collection, and I don't logon to the CCL client everyday so it's been taking me MONTHS to finish it, but I'm getting there. In addition, I think it would be next to impossible to implement an Access/Excel import function in CCL simply because I'm fairly certain all of us do not use standard columns or column names when designing our Access databases or Excel spreadsheets to begin with.

I have started to import my collection and agree that it's quicker than I thought.
Seeing all the covers as they go in does make it a fun task

I still think an import facility would attract more collectors.

Although we each have different conventions when we name comic titles, our own lists would use the same name, for any particular title, throughout.
Therefore once we know the names that the database uses for the titles in our collection we could update our list before importing it; or the import process could even start by performing a title match report allowing the user to correct or match up names/dates.

I'm guessing a lot of people's collections have large number of issues of the same title; an import would reduce the % of comics that needed inputting manually by an amount that, I think, makes it worth the development effort.

Again, see the import functionality in the ComicBase application & you'll see it's possible.
I think this implementation's strong point is that it allows you to specify which imported columns refer to what data.
One of it's flaws is that once you've told it the title your list was referring to it doesn't remember it for any of the other issues you try to import for the same title.

I am new to CCL. I've been seeing the print add on the inside of my comics for months and I finally gave it a look. I have read through this thread on importing as well as some others throughout the forum. Compared to most who are looking for importing, I have a smaller list of only about 1,200 books. But they are currently all catalogued in a Collectorz database. Which I put in the time with and got everything entered eventually. I am not interested in doing this again, but your software seems to have some perks over the collectorz product, which is why I' writing this now.

It appears most of the resistance to building an import tool is that you are faced with having a wide diversity in naming conventions and database types when dealing with the public at large. In my case, I'm interested in importing from a competeting product, which I believe use the same naming systems as the mainstream pricing guides. I would think you would be interested in winning cutomers from a competing solution??

Are there any plans to provide import tools from these types of standardized comic databases?

major thing thatll go wrong is name title differences, missing titles etc. things will go drastically wrong. also you'll still have to check all data went across correctly. just go through bit at a time.