FAQ 2185: Wizard DB Plan Spec Import-Export How To

Problem: We want to import and export plan specification values, like contributions for a batch of DB plans; how do we do that?

Solution: The general process is to use ASCript's Import or Export features with no plan open in ASC. We have two topics from past DB Top Tips webcasts that cover the import and export of Plan Specification values: 1) 2020 DB Top Tip - Topic #5 - Exporting Plan Specifications with ASCript 2) 2023 DB Top Tip - Topic #3 - Importing Plan Specifications The webcasts and their handouts are available to download from the Client Support Center / System Training / Web Seminars webpage with Defined Benefit selected in the dropdown menu. To help users get started, sample ASCript variable export and import files are available in the DB Plan Specifications Import-Export.zip file to download on the Client Support Center / Updates & Downloads / ASC System Tables webpage or at this link: https://csc.asc-net.com/csc/asc_client/download/User%20Documentation/DB%20Plan%20Specifications%20Import-Export%20.zip The DB Plan Specifications Import-Export.zip contains the following: 1) Detailed instructions on using the variable export and variable import files, 2) A variable export file (VXF) used for exporting plan specifications, 3) A variable import file (VIF) used for importing plan specifications. The VXF and VIF files complement each other in that the same fields that are exported using the .VXF are imported through the .VIF. This way they help identify the existing plan values with the export and include the DISKPLAN value to be used for linking the rows of the import file to cases in ASC when importing back in after editing the data to import. Download the zip file and review the instructions to learn more.