Optional Features - Stock Batch Update


Datafile Software

Optional Features - Stock Batch Update

The optional features for Stock Batch Update are displayed over two screens.

Screen 1 of 2

Delimiter for Ascii Files, Default ","

ASCII input files are normally defined to be comma-separated, so enter here a comma <Enter>.

Input File Is "Artesan” Comm Log Layout

This is a special file produced by the Artesan range of tills.Information is in the form of a log file of all keystrokes from the till. If this applies to your business then it is important to check with your till supplier and Datafile before using this option.

Write Transactions with Current Date

If the date not included on the import file then set this option to generate transactions with the run-time import date.

Mark/Check Input Transactions as Updated

If the input file is a Datafile Database then there may be records that have already been processed if keeping historical information.Set this option to flag records as processed when imported and reject any records already flagged. The item to flag/check is set late.

Tx Item For Run-Time Prompt

This allows a user-keyed value to be entered at run-time into the data item specified here. For example, you may want a batch number to be entered into every output record, or perhaps the operator’s initials, for future printing on reports or analysis.

Input Item Number for "Updated"

This is the item number within the input file which is to be marked with a "Y” once that input record has been processed (see prompt above).

Input Sequence No for "Value”

If the input file contains quantity and value, but no price, then this item no is used to identify the value. The program can then calculate the price.

Add To Reference Numbers

Where the reference number is not cross-referenced and a default reference is not to be updated to all imported transactions then set this option to increment the stock references for each transaction imported.

Delete Input File When Completed

If the input file is an ASCII file then you cannot flag records as processed, one way of preventing a second run is to delete the input file and this can be achieved by setting this option. Use this with care – the parameter applies equally for DFD and ASCII imports and you may wish to keep the input file for resulting queries and maybe move the file to another folder when you are happy with the update.

Default Reference
Default Description

This allows default reference number and transaction description to be pre-defined, and is only of use where the input file does not already contain this information for each record.

Only Process Input Records Starting With

This allows the update to be restricted to only those input records which have the specified character(s) in the first position of the record. This would allow an ASCII input file to possibly contain multiple records, only some of which are to be imported on this update.

Starting Value at Beginning of First Item

This assumes that the starting value above is contained as the first item in the first input item of the record without a delimiter between it and the first item.

Custom ASCII File Format: Custom Reference

Datafile Software offers a service that allows any Datafile system to be customised to specific requirements on the rare occasion that those requirements cannot be met by the standard system. Any such feature will be set here when advised.

Lock Records as Required

This option omits the exclusive file locks on the stock and stock transaction files for the import and applies record locking for the appropriate stock items. This option is only applicable when importing from a Datafile Database and flagging back the record as updated.

Screen 2 of 2

Prompt for Location and Pre-Fix Stocks

If using multi-location stock where the import transactions are for one location and the stock code recorded doesn’t include the location code then setting this option allows the batch update to prompt for the location code at run-time and the stock transactions are then imported to the stock records for that location.

Trans Item Number for Retail Sales Value
Trans Item Number for Retail Cost Value

If using the Retail Stock accessory these prompts ask for the items on the stock transaction file to update the retail values to

Use Selection Criteria against Input File

If the input file type is a Datafile database then the standard selection criteria may be used to select only those records to be used for this batch update. When set a pop-up form is displayed allowing entry of the selection criteria.

Allow User Changes to Selection Criteria

If applying selection criteria to the input file then set this prompt for whether the user is allowed to amend the criteria at run-time.

Save Any Changes to Selection Criteria

If user is allowed to make run-time amendments to the criteria set this prompt for whether any such changes are to be offered as the default criteria next time.

If i/p value negative, ensure qty negative

Stock transactions within Datafile Software are primarily positive quantities, allowing credit equivalents to be negative quantities – i.e. a sales issue with a negative quantity indicates a goods return.This option, applying only where the Retail Stock accessory in use, negates the input quantity where the retail sales or cost value (referenced above) is negative.

Only accept input for current stock period

Setting this option rejects any stock transactions on the input file dated outside the current stock period. Normally only the run-time date is validated against the stock period dates but this option validates the date on input file and rejects any outside current period.

If Current Period, Accept Older Than Tran Dates

If above option set then this option allows transactions dated earlier than the current period to be accepted – transactions will be dated as per recorded on the input file but treated as a current period transaction in all other respects.

Default Transaction Type Number

If the transaction type is not cross-referenced on the input file then you can specify a default type as appropriate.Transaction types are

1Sales Issue

2Purchase On-Order

3Purchase Order Received

4Goods Received

5Stock Adjustment

6Stock Reservation

7Stock Transfer

8Stock Take Adjustment

9Stock Assembly Build

A Stock Price Change

If Issue, Update Reserved Stock

If importing stock issues this option allows you to reduce the stock reserved quantity by the same value as issued.

Auto-accept date in next or previous period

If processing on an auto-run menu then setting this option allows the system to automatically accept a date which is in the next stock period or earlier than the current period without pausing for the operator to confirm. If the date is later than the next period then the system will abandon the update without processing.


Custom Fields

Article ID: 1695
Created On: Thu, Jul 5, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Last Updated On: Wed, Jun 14, 2023 at 4:08 PM

Online URL: https://kb.datafile.co.uk/article/optional-features-stock-batch-update-1695.html