Introduction

The interface file is created from the interface file extract, and it contains the edited transaction data for the specified date range. You determine the file format for the interface file in Allocation setup. The file format options are:

• Fixed length - text file
• Comma separated values - text file
• XML format
• Microsoft Excel format

To create your interface file, select Write Interface File from the Allocation Function drop down box.

Your interface file includes all transactions currently in your interface extract file as determined by the date range. The date range cannot exceed 31 days. You can create the interface file as many times as you wish in order to check and edit your data. This file can be exported to your general ledger. Your interface extract file remains on the database server until you perform a final write and clear of your interface file. You must perform a final write and clear in order to begin a new 31-day period.

Determining the interface file sequence

If you use:

• Comma separated values - text file
• XML format
• Microsoft Excel format

you only need to determine the sequence order of each field in your interface file. The available fields are determined by your Allocation Setup. Type the number in the Order text box to determine the sequence. To eliminate a field from the interface file, type a zero (0) in the box or blank the entry. You can skip a number in your sequence. iTracer will simply use the next higher number in the Order box in building your interface file.

For example, the following graphic shows the Sequence Number deleted from the interface file by blanking the original entry. The number two has been skipped. Therefore, Employee ID follows Posting Date in the interface file.

If you select Fixed length - text file as your interface file format, you are also required to specify the length of each field, the justification, and how filler characters are handled. The same rules apply for determining the sequence order of each field in the interface file.

Determine the sort order (optional)

iTracer gives you the option of sorting the records in your interface file by as many as four fields. The fields available to you in the Sort Order drop down boxes are determined by your Allocation Setup. Field 1 is first sort, Field 2 is the second sort and so forth. The following example shows the interface file records sorted first by Posting Date and second by Employee ID.

Create interface file

Once you've determined your interface file sequence and sort order, create the interface file by clicking Create. iTracer creates your file and the Download or View Interface File link appears. To download the file, right click Download or View Interface File and select Save Target As.

The Save As window appears. You have the option of changing the file name and selecting the appropriate directory.

You can repeat this process as many times as you wish in order to ensure that the interface file is correct.

Final Write and Clear

Once you are sure that the interface file is correct, perform a final write and clear by selecting Final Write and Clear from the Allocation Function drop down box.

The Final Write and Clear creates the interface file for the last time and clears the interface extract file from the iTracer database server. You are now ready to create a new interface file with a different date range.