Best Choice Software

Import Data

To get to this screen, click the third button from the left on the toolbar, Database Utilities. Then click on the Import Data tab.

This screen allows you to import lists of stocks into User Lists from either your old BestChoice 3.0 databases, or a text file.

Getting Started

You will need to know the location on your computer's hard drive where your database or text files are. You will go to that directory location using the directory tree on the far left side of the window.

Importing an old BestChoice 3.0 Database

For example, if you are trying to import a list of stocks from one of your old BestChoice 3.0 databases, those databases will be in your BestChoice 3.0 directory. These files had a .mdb extention because they were Microsoft Access databases. When you click on a directory, it will only show the files that are either database files or text files. There may be other files in that directory, our program just will not show them. To find the BestChoice 3.0 directory, scroll down the directory tree list on the left side of the window until you find a yellow folder with the name "Program Files" next to it. Double click it.

Now you will see a new list of directories in the directory tree. Look for a yellow folder with the name "Best Choice" next to it. This is your BestChoice 3.0 directory. Double click on it. If you saved all your old databases for BestChoice 3.0 in this default directory, then you should see a list of all your old databases in the next list box under Database Files.

If you recognize one of your old databases in the list box, single click on it. You should then see all your symbols that you had in that database listed in the next list box under Symbols. If you are ready to import this list, click the "Import" button on the right. Go to the instructions labeled "Saving to the User List" below.

Importing From a Text File

Importing from a text file works the same way as above, only you will be selecting a text file instead of a database file. Text files have a ".txt" extension. You can create a text file to import by using the notepad program under the Accessories menu. You can find the Accessories menu when you click the "Start" button in the bottom left corner of your screen, and click the "Programs" menu at the top of the Start menu.

Your text file must be created in the following manner, or this function will not work properly. You must have only one symbol on each line. They should be upper case with no other characters before or after. It is ok to hit enter after entering each one. Below is a picture example of what a text file would look like in notepad.

Again, you will have to know what directory you have saved your text file in, and our program will only show database and text files in the list next to the directory tree list box. So if there are no files listed when you double click on a directory, that means there are not any database or text files in that directory. There may be other files, but our program will not show them.

Once you have found your text file that you wish to import, click once on the file name and you will see your list of stocks in the list box under "Symbols". If you are ready to import these, click the "Import" button.

Saving to the User List

You will now see the above window. It will allow you the save this list to a new User List or to an existing one. If you wish to create a new user list, type in the name in the first white text box. The name of the database file is there by default. You can change this to be whatever you wish. If you want to save this list of stocks to a current User List, then delete the name of the database file in the first white text box, and select the User List that you would like to save to. Click the "Save" button.

The import will be complete. You can close the Database Utilities, and select your User List on the top right under "Security List"

It is important that if you wish to create a new User List, then don't select a current User List. If you want to save to a current User List, then select a current User List in the list box, and make sure the top white text box is blank. You can't do both. The program won't know what you are trying to do if you have both selected.