Sparx Systems Forum

Enterprise Architect => Suggestions and Requests => Topic started by: salayande on August 29, 2009, 07:38:36 pm

Title: Lossless Import of Spreadsheet Data Models
Post by: salayande on August 29, 2009, 07:38:36 pm

Requirement

There is a requirement for the existing spreadsheet import capability of Sparxsystems EA to be extended to import classes, attributes and relationship elements established.

Reasons
There is an increased need for data standardisation to support information interoperability within and between organizations. Organisations that operate in global markets are participating in data standatds definition efforts.

Because of the diversity of organizations participating in these efforts, business analysis of data is often done in spreadsheets (see the data definition spreadsheets for UBL, UN/CEFACT and many others). The spreadsheet is seen as the common denominator between the affluent and financially constrained participants.

I am aware of Sparxsystems efforts to provide free development licences for some standards development efforts (which of course promotes EA).  Sparxsystems must go beyond merely seeking to, promote its interests. Urgently required are solutions that help to resolve existing problems encountered within and outside these standards groups.

There is therefore a need for EA support for the lossless import/export of data definitions (class definitions, attribute definitions and relationships) from spreadsheets.

I have also looked at the templates shipped with EA, it is also a good idea to seek to understand the nature of reports required by these classes of users and deliver some templates based on these requirements. For example, I recently struggled to create a standard domain business rules report which is based on the roles, constraints and associations in a concept model.

Segun

Title: Re: Lossless Import of Spreadsheet Data Models
Post by: Geert Bellekens on August 31, 2009, 04:35:52 pm

If you really need this urgently, you can always create your own excel importer/exporter using the EA API.
I've written such a utility in the past and it didn't take me more then a few days.

Geert

Title: Re: Lossless Import of Spreadsheet Data Models
Post by: salayande on August 31, 2009, 10:49:58 pm

Hi Geert,

I read your comment as an offer to help. I need this urgently but cannot program. I would therefore appreciate if you can send me this utility with instructions on how to use it.

Segun

Title: Re: Lossless Import of Spreadsheet Data Models
Post by: Geert Bellekens on August 31, 2009, 11:33:40 pm

I'll see if I can digg up that excel utility.

Geert

Title: Re: Lossless Import of Spreadsheet Data Models
Post by: salayande on September 01, 2009, 12:24:38 am

Thank you, Geert.

Segun

Title: Re: Lossless Import of Spreadsheet Data Models
Post by: Geert Bellekens on September 01, 2009, 06:13:02 pm

Segun,
Unfortunately I didn't find the utility anymore, but I quickly hacked something together based on some parts from the original utility and my memory.
This utility works, but only under perfect conditions. It will need some work before it is really usable in a production environment.
Anyway, I'll send it to you as is.

Geert

Title: Re: Lossless Import of Spreadsheet Data Models
Post by: salayande on September 02, 2009, 07:02:39 am

Thank you, Geert,

I have the utility and I should be using it.

kind regards

Segun

Title: Re: Lossless Import of Spreadsheet Data Models
Post by: Geert Bellekens on November 30, 2009, 07:15:05 pm

I've uploaded the tool on theEA Community Site (http://community.sparxsystems.com/resources/community/scripts/simple-vba-excel-ea-importer)

Geert

Title: Re: Lossless Import of Spreadsheet Data Models
Post by: salayande on December 03, 2009, 10:37:55 am

You are kind, Geert. the community will appreciate this.

best regards

Segun