# IMPORTING OLDER AYANOVA DATA

AyaNova 8+ can import data from AyaNova 7.5.  For versions of AyaNova older than 7.5 you must first upgrade them to 7.5 before continuing.

## OVERVIEW

We have created a DBDump plugin for AyaNova 7.5 that will export the entire database into a universal format (JSON text files in a zip archive) that can be imported by AyaNova 8+.

Importing AyaNova 7.5 data is a two step process.

- Export data from AyaNova 7.5 using the DBDump plugin
- Import the export data into AyaNova 8 or above

## WARNINGS

### Do not rename the export file

AyaNova 8+ expects the export file to have a specific name format. For example: `ayanova.data.dump.2018-10-31--11-18-16.zip`.

If you rename the file AyaNova 8 may not recognize it as a valid DBDump file and will not offer it as an option for import.

The DBDump filename contains the date and time the export was started `ayanova.data.dump.YEAR-MONTH-DAY--HOUR-MINUTE-SECOND.zip`

### Repeated import not supported

Importing 7.5 data more than once to the same AyaNova 8+ database is not supported and could result in damage to data integrity.

Note that it's possible to import into a database more than once for test and evaluation purposes as long as you erase it before each import, however data should not be imported more than once into the same database without erasing it first to ensure data integrity.

In other words you cannot continue to work in both AyaNova 7.5 and AyaNova 8 at the same time and expect to export and import data repeatedly to keep them in "sync".

### Multi-user networked AyaNova 7.5

If other users are working in AyaNova when the DBDump plugin is run the resulting export file will not be valid as there could be records changed or missing that will be required to import.  Be certain no other users are working in AyaNova before you run the DBDump.

Generator: Be sure to stop the AyaNova Generator *before* starting the DBDump plugin.  Failing to do so could result in a corrupt export file as there could be records changed or missing that are required for import.

If you have a networked installation of AyaNova 7.5, when you are ready to transition to the newer version of AyaNova you will need to ensure that no other users are still working in AyaNova 7.5 after you do the final DBDump.

We recommend stopping the old database server immediately after the final DBDump in case there is a chance that there are still users inside or outside of your network that may access AyaNova 7.5.

### Before uninstalling AyaNova 7.5

Examine your imported data in AyaNova 8+; carefully ensure that the data you expect to see has been imported properly. You may still need to make another export in case of any issues that arise so it's not a good idea to immediately uninstall AyaNova 7.5 until you are sure the newer version of AyaNova has all your data in it and is ready for business.

We recommend keeping your AyaNova 7.5 installation for at least a month in case an issue comes up.

### Keep your last AyaNova 7.5 backup

We recommend you keep a backup copy of your AyaNova 7.5 database in a safe location for at least a year after transitioning to AyaNova 8+ in case any issues arise.

## EXPORT FROM AYANOVA 7.5

1. Avoid future problems: If you haven't already, go back and read the section titled "WARNINGS" above carefully.
2. [Download the DBDump plugin](https://ayanova.com/TODO) installer and run it on a computer with AyaNova 7.5 already installed and configured.
3. Pick an export location: Ensure you have enough free space in the location you are going to save the DBDump file to; you may require as much as double the space that your current AyaNova database is using.
4. Multi-user only: If exporting from a networked multi-user AyaNova 7.5 installation, now is the time to ensure all users are out and networked Generator service is stopped.  **Do not proceed until this is verfied**.
5. Login to AyaNova 7.5 as the Manager account and select and run the "DBDump" plugin: ![DBDump](img/dbdump.png)
6. Select the location to save the dump file to from step 3 above.
7. A form will popup and show the progress of the DBDump operation and the name and location of the dump file. When completed a single .ZIP file will be created containing all the data that can be imported from AyaNova 7.5 in a format ready for import into AyaNova 8+.  If this is your final export before moving to AyaNova 8+ you should keep a permanent copy of this file as a precaution.

## IMPORT TO AYANOVA 8+

TODO once we have UI