Unload files

The native Service Manager export format is the unload file. An unload file stores the database dictionary of Service Manager tables in addition to records. The database dictionary embedded in an unload file determines where Service Manager loads records during import. The unload file also specifies whether Service Manager should update or ignore duplicate records when loading records. Service Manager can export unload files in the following file formats:

  • Binary — The binary unload file format archives Service Manager tables. You can load binary unload files only from the Database Manager.
  • Text — The text unload file format is human readable but only intended to be loaded from the Database Manager.
  • Formatted text — The formatted text unload file format is intended to be compatible with external applications, although the actual format of the file is determined by the form you select as a template. You can create export forms to create formatted text unload files compatible with specific applications.

You can export records into an unload file from the following Service Manager utilities:

  • Database Manager
  • Unload Script Utility
  • Directly from some record lists

After you load a .unl file to import data into Service Manager, you must stop and then restart the Service Manager server. This ensures that the table changes are initialized.

Note Service Manager encodes unload files in the UTF-8 format. Service Manager can import unload files from previous versions of ServiceCenter, but earlier versions cannot import unload files created by Service Manager.

Related topics

Data maps
Exporting records
Importing records
Purging and archiving records
Using data maps to purge and archive records
Unload script utility
Master data records
Archive records
Purge and archive records
Purge records
Schedule purge and archive processes