Moving data between systems.
WHAT AN EXPORT IS
A file containing data from a system, usually tabular.
WHAT TO CHECK IN ONE
That it covers the period intended That it includes the fields needed That totals match the system's own figures
THAT LAST CHECK
Always. Exports are frequently filtered in ways you did not expect.
WHAT COMMONLY GOES WRONG WHEN OPENING ONE
Dates reformatted Leading zeros removed from references Long numbers converted to scientific notation Characters mangled
WHY THOSE HAPPEN
Spreadsheet software interprets values on opening.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
Import rather than open, specifying the type of each column.
WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE IMPORTING TO ANOTHER SYSTEM
That the columns match what is expected That required fields are present That the format is what the system wants
WHAT TO DO FIRST
Import a small sample, and check the result.
WHAT TO KEEP
The original export, unmodified.
WHAT TO VERIFY AFTERWARDS
Record counts and totals, on both sides.
