The Utilities part of TheStashCan was created so that you, the user, could expand the use of your StashCan by provided a method for exporting and importing data to and from hand-held units or PDAs. Or, perhaps import already existing Stash lists from other programs into TheStashCan thereby consolidating all your STASH!

TheStashCan Version 2.0 provides 3 new utilities for you.

1. Import - bring existing lists of items into TheStashCan
2. Export - "dump" items from your StashCan into a comma delimited file for use outside of TheStashCan
3. Fabbie Calculator - never mis-cut your fabric again! Calculate required fabric size based on design stitch count, fabric count, desired "waste" border and stitching style (i.e. over 1 or over 2)

Your Import screen will ALWAYS display your import instructions just to make sure you're ready to import.

You must format your import data as a comma delimited file. This means that each field is separated by a comma and some text fields may be enclosed in double-quotes.

I created my sample file in Excel in the following format and then did a "file - save - as" and selected "csv - comma separated value". Excel will save a file, for example, thesilverlining.csv. I then renamed that file to import.txt so that TheStashCan would "see" it and do the import.

Your comma separated file MUST follow the layout below or your import will make a mess of your stashcan. the only thing that is not "importable" is your item description (SORRY!).

field #1 - style (char)
field #2 - item name (char)
field #3 - item number (char)
field #4 - publisher (char)
field #5 - designer (char)
field #6 - location (char)
field #7 - color (char)
field #8 - fabbie width (num)
field #9 - fabbie length (num)
field #10 - fabbie count (char)
field #11 - fabbie dmc equivalent color (char)
field #12 - project stitch count width (num)
field #13 - project stitch count height (num)
field #14 - project start date (mm/dd/yyyy)
field #15 - project completion date (mm/dd/yyyy)
field #16 - quantity
field #17 - status (single digit number)

***** Before you do an import, it is highly recommended that you make a backup copy of your StashCan. this means if you don't make a copy and you mess up your import WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE for the resulting mess your StashCan data will be in. You'll have to delete the "Bad" items and try again OR simply restore from your backup and try again.

Once you've made your backup then begin formatting your import file. We provide a "sample" import file in your StashCan folder; it's called import.txt it was created in excel (as I described above) (the_silver_lining.xls), saved as csv, and then renamed to be import.txt

Once you have your import file formatted, you must make a copy and call it import.txt and put it in your TheStashCan folder

*** tip: you may want to "view" this file using notepad before you import - you can delete the header (field names) if it exists - otherwise, you'll have to "clean" up a record or 2 when your import is completed

All of your newly imported items will appear in the type = "**IMPORTED**" so that you may apply each item to the appropriate categories for YOU. We do imports this way because everyone can define all of their own categories so there's no standard definition. By simply APPENDING all of your imported items, you can then search by type = "**IMPORTED**" and edit your items into YOUR categories OR go to Personalize - Types - and delete the "**IMPORTED**" type and try again!

Select which set of stash you want to export, your "haves", "wants", "for sales", or "solds" ...

If the export.txt file already exists, your Export routine will ask ....

Just click yes and let it run!

When it's complete ...

Once exported, the file - called "export.txt" - can be pulled into any software that can "read" comma delimited files. We offer the export option in the hopes that the raw data will be useful for palm unit users.

The Fabbie Calc button invokes a pop-up window to let you quickly calculate the required fabric size for a particular design. Calculation is based on design stich count, desired "Waste" border, over 1 or over 2 stitching style, and fabric count. The Fabbie Calculator calculates rounded to the 1/2 inch.