Q: It has been a while since we used the Export Processor to Export Data from Elliott. I remember how to select the category and choose the search data, but I can't remember how to select all the fields that need to be processed for export. Can you please provide step-by-step instructions on how to pull data using the processor? Thank you!

A: The export processor will allow you to export certain Elliott table data in an easily organized format to a CSV format, which you can bring up in an Excel spreadsheet. There are other more powerful report writers like "Crystal Reports" that you may also consider. They are licensed separately and have a high learning curve.  On the other hand, the Elliott Export Processor's pre-join tables are easy to use. In addition, attribute data are pre-linked so the learning curve is quite low. It is a "simple report writer" that's bundled with Elliott.

To use the Elliott Export Processor to retrieve your desirable data, you should follow the steps below:

1. Choosing Category
2. Choosing Selection Criteria
3. Get Records
4. Choose Columns and Export Data to CSV file
5. Save Your Template for Re-Use
6. Automate Your Export Processor by Using Batch Command

To use the Export Processor, you need to determine which category of data you need to access.  It is important to choose the right category to get the data you need.  Choosing the wrong category may result in duplicating data.

The category listed here refers to the lowest level (one record per category).  For example, in the Customer Category, we include both “Customer” and “Salesman,” and they are linked automatically.  You will get one record per customer.  You can also access Salesman data through the “Customer” category.  But if you only want one salesman per record, then this is the wrong category.  You should use the “Salesman” category instead.

Using the same principle, you can access Order Line Items, Order Headers, Items, Customer,  and Salesman in the “Sales Order Line Items” category.  If your intention is to have one line item per record, then this is the right category.  But if your intention is to have one order per record, then it is the wrong category; you should choose “Sales Order Headers” instead. Refer to the screen display shown below.

You may impose additional filter criteria.  You can have up to 10 filter criteria and, by default, they use the logical "AND" operator.  Therefore, the following examples will retrieve all customers in "CA" and the customer discount percent is greater than or equal to 3.00%.  See sample screen below:

If  you need to choose multiple states, you can separate the Values with a space, and the system will interpret that as "or." For example, if you wish to select all customers in CA or AZ, then enter it as shown in the following example:

You can also use "*" for wildcard. The following is an example of how to retrieve a customer name that contains "CENTURY" since the value begins and ends with "*".  You can begin a match with "CENTURY*" or end a match with "*CENTURY" as well:

If you try to compare a name value that includes a space, make sure to include it with quotation marks so the system does not interpret the space as an "OR." See example below:

One the key benefits of using the Export Processor, in addition to exporting data, is that it integrates with Elliott attributes and makes attributes easy to use as a selection criterion.