This documentation refers to PhraseExpress v16 beta. The documentation for current v15 is available here.
Text/bitmap/Excel/CSV files
To import external files into PhraseExpress:
- Open the main program window.
- Highlight the desired target folder in the phrase tree view.
- Click
- Selected the file(s) to import.
Alternatively, drag & drop the file(s) into the desired target phrase folder in the phrase tree view.
Depending on the file type, PhraseExpress shows a selection of following options:
Import Option | Description |
---|---|
Imports the entire file contents as a whole. | |
Splits the source file line-by-line and generates separate phrases for each imported line. | |
PhraseExpress creates a new phrase with a macro function that opens the external file with it's associated default program (defined in the Microsoft Windows settings). Example: If you import a Microsoft Excel .XLS file this way, PhraseExpress will launch Excel and load the Excel spreadsheet. |
Embedding vs Linking
You can either import the contents of the external source files or alternatively create a dynamic link between PhraseExpress and the source file:
Import
The data is taken from the external data source and stored as an independent copy in your text module file. Thus, the external file is no longer needed by PhraseExpress.
Advantage: The data source is no longer needed by PhraseExpress after the import.
Disadvantage: There is no connection between the external data and PhraseExpress and later changes in the external data source are not considered by PhraseExpress. You would have to delete the data and import it again.
Dynamically linking the external data
Only references (links) of the external data are imported into the phrase library. PhraseExpress generates the phrases from the data source on every program launch.
Advantage: Changes in the external file are reflected in PhraseExpress.
Disadvantage: The data source must always be available to PhraseExpress.