Bellekens Excel import to add elements with relationships to an existing element

[EA_enthusiast]

Hello EA experts,

I have successfully used Bellekens' tool to import elements with tagged values.

Now I need to import elements that should be linked to the elements in the model. Please see the screenshot below for more clarification:

https://ibb.co/SKP3x5M

Can someone tell me the right way to do that?

[Geert Bellekens]

You can't import relations with this tool.

Geert

[steverumsby]

The MS Office integration you get with the Ultimate version of Sparx EA allows the creation of connectors I believe. I don't have it so I don't have first hand knowledge of how it works, I'm afraid.

What I have done in this situation is to import the elements in the way you have done (I use the standard import rather than Geert's, but the same idea) and as part of the import create tags on those elements indicating which existing elements they should be connected to. You must have that in your source data in some form. Then I write a script to find these imported elements and create the connectors to existing ones based on the information in the tags. The script can remove the tags afterwards if you no longer need that information.

[Modesto Vega]

The MS Office integration you get with the Ultimate version of Sparx EA allows the creation of connectors I believe. I don't have it so I don't have first hand knowledge of how it works, I'm afraid.

It does but it is a bit clunky, essentially, the way the sample import spreadsheet is structured implies that the elements need to be imported before before any relationship scan be created.

[steverumsby]

The MS Office integration you get with the Ultimate version of Sparx EA allows the creation of connectors I believe. I don't have it so I don't have first hand knowledge of how it works, I'm afraid.

It does but it is a bit clunky, essentially, the way the sample import spreadsheet is structured implies that the elements need to be imported before before any relationship scan be created.

It isn't something I do often enough to consider buying it, and now that I know it is clunky I'm less inclined to do that! Anyway, I suspect that creating the connectors with a script gives me more flexibility to create exactly what I want. Of course, I'm happy writing code and I know not everybody is.

I think the eaSheets module from eaTeamWorks has much better excel importing capabilities. If this is something you do a lot, and/or don't like writing code, that is probably work a look - https://www.eateamworks.com/. I'm sure Ian Mitchell can comment further...

Steve.

[Modesto Vega]

Thanks Steve, I am sure that Ian's eaSheets has better functionality. Other than the additional cost, on top of Sparx EA and PCS, the biggest 2 issues for us are accreditation and whether eaSheets can work through PCS (instead of direct database connection).

Why it is down to the good work of people like Ian or Geert to get a decent way to get data into Sparx EA via Excel or even word is beyond me. Sparx Systems should be investing in this or buying Ian's or Geert's code and developing it further.

An issue we constantly is that, although we can write scripts, we often do have time constraints that stop us from writing scripts.

[EA_enthusiast]

You can't import relations with this tool.

Thank you, Greert for the clarification.

Thank you, Steve for your insights.

Modesto, I completely agree with you. Sparx Systems should be investing in this area. It's an area that several people I speak with see it as a barrier to using EA.

[steverumsby]

Thanks Steve, I am sure that Ian's eaSheets has better functionality. Other than the additional cost, on top of Sparx EA and PCS, the biggest 2 issues for us are accreditation and whether eaSheets can work through PCS (instead of direct database connection).

Why it is down to the good work of people like Ian or Geert to get a decent way to get data into Sparx EA via Excel or even word is beyond me. Sparx Systems should be investing in this or buying Ian's or Geert's code and developing it further.

An issue we constantly is that, although we can write scripts, we often do have time constraints that stop us from writing scripts.

This conversation is drifting a bit now, and should probably end up in a different thread if it continues! I have conflicting thoughts about all this. On the one hand it makes sense to me for Sparx Systems to focus on what they do well and allow partners to fill in any gaps. A flourishing partner ecosystem is good for everyone. An accreditation system is an important part of that, allowing people to buy partner products in confidence. I don't think having a "3rd party extensions" page (https://sparxsystems.com/products/3rdparty.html) is that, although I suppose it is better than nothing. Accreditation ultimately adds to cost, though, as partners and Sparx will end up with more work to do.

But I agree at some point, when a functionality gap becomes something everyone expects then Sparx needs to somehow start providing that functionality, and acquiring and integrating a partner product continues to support the partner ecosystem in a way that building their own does not. (I do realise it isn't that simple )

I understand the script writing issues. I'm operating largely as a one man EA band at the moment, and so I can live with scripts that get the job done and don't have to be as robust as they would need to be if used within a larger team. That reduces the amount of time I need to spend on them. Plus I enjoy writing code, so it makes me happy! But that's just me and my situation. I'm glad the facility is there, but I understand why not everyone can make use of it.

[adepreter]

You could use Low Code Powerscripts:
https://www.labnaf.one/EndUserMaterial/Labnaf_PowerShell/Labnaf%20PowerShell%20-%20Reference%20Guide.pdf

These can be scheduled. You can use environment variables either in the scripts or in the SQL queries used by those scripts.