At this point you have a 100023_import.mdb import database (from the example in previous chapters) stored within "Desktop_Tools\Import" folder. If there are image attachments exist for this import, then resized images would be located in "Resized Images\100023_import" folder (as per example described in "Processing Images" chapter).

Important: Before you upload MS Access Import Database to your classified for the import, ALWAYS open it in an MS Access application and run from the menu:
Tool > Database Utilities > Compact and Repair Database... This would ensure error-less database (internal structure) and shrink the size of the database.

Getting ready for Import

• Open your site in an FTP and upload 100023_import.mdb into the import folder (created during plug-in setup).

• If images would be attached, then: Open 000000 folder (also created during plug-in setup in cl_upload) and create another subfolder 100023_import inside 000000 folder. So that you have structure cl_upload/000000/100023_import. This is the folder where attached images for the current upload would be located. Each Import routine would require a specific folder to be created (inside  000000) for the image attachments to the ads within that import. Upload images from a "Resized Images\100023_import" folder at your desktop into a newly created cl_upload/000000/100023_import folder.

You are now ready to proceed with Ads Import. Depending on a type of template you have received form a client, choose the appropriate Ads Import or Ads Import Plus method below.

Ads Import

• From Admin Tasks page select "Ads Import" and then "New Import".

• First step is to specify the user account ID under which the imported ads would be posted. If you received the template named 100023_import.xls then the user ID would be 100023. But you may verify that in a User Manager for the user who requested Ads Import and sent you a template. Type 100023 at "Type a user account ID" field and click "Continue".

• Next screen would provide the User Account details and prompt to select database and images folder location. Select database you have uploaded (the 100023_import.mdb in this example) and if planning to attach images to ads, select a folder name where images for THIS Import routine are stored (100023_import for this example).
  
  Note: If you select "No Images attached", then "images" field content for each ad would NOT be imported into classified database even if "images" field is not empty.
  
  By clicking "Evaluate Database", the content of 100023_import.mdb would be comprehensively analyzed and if inconsistencies are found (those which might invalidate Rapid Classified database after the import) you would be notified about each one of them. You cannot go further with the Import until all inconsistencies are rectified. Among them: missing mandatory fields, category field structure which is not understood by a script or non existed category ID within categories field, missing images which are specified within "images" field ... etc.

• If your database successfully evaluated, you would be directed to the final and actual Ads Import Tool page. At the bottom-left you may click "Bulk Preview" link to preview imported ads. The format of preview page is different form the classified full ads view page, but it does contain all the information within the ads data including images.

• At the Ads Import Tool page you would need to provide additional information which is common for all ads imported from currently selected import database.
  
  - Specify Import Name (identifies a particular import within the imports list at the Import management page) and Import Comment.
  - Select a number at Select Image Attachments Limit. This number is unrelated to the number of images currently attached to the ad, but restricts future image attachments during ad edit by a client. Note: if an ad has 3 images attached for instance and you selected 2 at Select Image Attachments Limit then 3 images would still be attached. However, if client decided to change an image later on, then after 1 image is removed, client would not be able to attach another image as the limit is set to 2.
  - Select Select Ads Duration. This must be a number in days. If you would like for the ads never to expire, place some high number, like 10000.
  - Select a price for each ad within the import. This must be a number. It might be used for a manual ad repost after expiration in Credits Mode. Else it is not relevant in Free or Package Mode.
  - Select yes/no at Ads Description in HTML Format. This is important. If you select no, then the natural carriage returns or new line character in an ads description would be converted into HTML <br> tag for a proper display of a new lines. If you select yes, then the script assumes the ads description is formatted as an HTML and no additional processing required for new lines handling.

• Click "Stat Import". Depending on a number of ads, the process might be taking a while. Once import is finished you would receive a message about successful Import. All Imported ads go online right away. No approval required. See "Import Management" chapter for further details.

Ads Import Plus

• The "Converting Data" and "Processing Images" chapters referenced to the "Ads Import" method. Respective example for database and images folder name was 100023_import. The method of data conversion and image processing is exactly the same for the "Ads Import Plus" method. Hence the example for this part of the manual would refer as 100023_import_Plus. So it is save to assume that the database name is 100023_import_Plus.mdb and images folder cl_upload/000000/100023_import_plus (for this example).

• From Admin Tasks page select "Ads Import Plus" and then "New Import".

• Select database you have uploaded (the 100023_import_plus.mdb in this example) and if planning to attach images to ads, select a folder name where images for THIS Import routine are stored (100023_import_plus for this example).
  
  Note: If you select "No Images attached", then "images" field content for each ad would NOT be imported into classified database even if "images" field is not empty.
  
  By clicking "Evaluate Database", the content of 100023_import_plus.mdb would be comprehensively analyzed and if inconsistencies are found (those which might invalidate Rapid Classified database after the import) you would be notified about each one of them. You cannot go further with the Import until all inconsistencies are rectified. Among them: missing mandatory fields, category field structure which is not understood by a script or non existed category ID within categories field, missing images which are specified within "images" field ... etc.

• If your database successfully evaluated, you would be directed to the final and actual Ads Import Plus Tool page. At the bottom-left you may click "Bulk Preview" link to preview imported ads. The format of preview page is different form the classified full ads view page, but it does contain all the information within the ads data including images.

• At the Ads Import Plus Tool page you would need to provide additional information which is common for all ads imported from currently selected import database.
  
  - Specify Import Name (identifies a particular import within the imports list at the Import management page) and Import Comment.
  - Select a number at Select Image Attachments Limit. This number is unrelated to the number of images currently attached to the ad, but restricts future image attachments during ad edit by a client. Note: if an ad has 3 images attached for instance and you selected 2 at Select Image Attachments Limit then 3 images would still be attached. However, if client decided to change an image later on, then after 1 image is removed, client would not be able to attach another image as the limit is set to 2.
  - Select Select Ads Duration. This must be a number in days. Note: The duration may be specified for each ad individually within the database template for Ads Import Plus method. If the duration specified individually, then the individual number would take precedence over the duration indicated at the Ads Import Plus page.
  - Select a price for each ad within the import. This must be a number. It might be used for a manual ad repost after expiration in Credits Mode. Else it is not relevant in Free or Package Mode.
  - Select yes/no at Ads Description in HTML Format. This is important. If you select no, then the natural carriage returns or new line character in an ads description would be converted into HTML <br> tag for a proper display of a new lines. If you select yes, then the script assumes the ads description is formatted as an HTML and no additional processing required for new lines handling.
  - Select Amount of credits to apply to each newly created user account by filling Apply Credits to each User account.
  - Select a Package to apply to each newly created user account by selecting from a drop-down list at Apply a package to each user account.
  - If you have user optional fields, then they would be listed in a next few lines. If user optional fields are filled within the template, then they would be applied to user account. However you may control whether or not include those fields with the ads. Uncheck the box next to user options, which you do NOT wish to include with ads.

• Click "Stat Import". Depending on a number of ads, the process might be taking a while. Once import is finished you would receive a message about successful Import. All Imported ads go online right away and user accounts become active. No approval required.

• All new user accounts would have a generated user name. The user name would be constructed as "userID-Import". So if a new user id is 100251 then user name would be 100251-Import. This is done to preserve user name uniqueness. At the same time each new user would receive a notification email (this email may be edited in Content Management - template Account_Import). It basically notifies a user about new account and sends a generated password for the logon. At this point user may logon to the account and change generated user name/password.

• Duplicate email and accounts handling. User database cannot have duplicate emails. Therefore each record in an imported database is evaluated for duplicates. If the same email found in database, the account would not be created. The ad however would be posted and attached to the discovered in a database user account.