Copy External File Type

Explanation

Use this activity to copy an existing external file type. For example, you might want to use this feature if it is necessary to use a file type that differs slightly from a system- defined file type. Since system- defined file types are protected from update, this feature makes it easy to create a copy that can be easily altered.

Please note that there are external interfaces (such as the External Vouchers Interface in Accounting Rules), only recognizes the system-defined file types. If a system-defined file type is copied and modified, then the External File Assistant can be used to access the new file type.

Prerequisites

An external source file type must be available.

System Effects

This activity will create the following as an exact copy of the source file type, except for the identity and the description:

• A new external file type header.
• Record type definitions.
• Column data definitions for all record types.
• Available parameters.
• Parameter sets.
• Parameters per set.

Window

External File Types

Related Window Descriptions

Copy File Type

Procedure

1. Open the External File Types window.
2. Right-click and click Copy File Type to launch the Copy File Type dialog box.
   The currently marked external file type will be used as the source file type in the Copy File Type dialog box.
3. Click List to display the available external files types and select from the list if necessary.
4. Specify identity of the new external file type.
5. Enter the description of the new external file type.
6. Click OK to start the copy activity.