Auto list import
TimeCache can be set to automatically import client, project/matter, billing category and note glossary listings from text files, a useful feature for workgroups that need to access a common set of listings. It can also import client, project and billing category lists exported from Intuit QuickBooks.

TimeCache can import these lists with a File menu command, or automatically whenever a TimeCache data file is opened. The settings in this panel determine which lists are automatically imported, and when they are imported.

If you choose the option to import QuickBooks lists (see below), you'll want to be sure to read a separate document available in the TimeCache section of our Web site's Download page.

The following information on naming and file formats applies to importing lists from text files.

Be sure to read the information on list import file formats before depending on this feature. See Importing lists and Import file formats in the List Manager section of TimeCache Help for more information.

File names
When importing text files, another important factor to keep in mind is using file names that TimeCache will find automatically. For automatic import to work correctly, file names must each be at least two words with a space separating the words, and must have the following first words in their file names:

List type File first name
Client Client
Project Project
Billing Category Category
Note glossary Glossary
Markup Markups

In other words, you could name your files Project list, Client list, Category list, Glossary list, Markups list and TimeCache would find them automatically.

Settings
Clients: Tells TimeCache to automatically import client listings from properly formatted tab-delimited text files.

Projects: Tells TimeCache to automatically import project listings from properly formatted tab-delimited text files.

Billing categories: Tells TimeCache to automatically import billing category listings from properly formatted tab-delimited text files.

Markups: Tells TimeCache to automatically import Markup listings from properly formatted tab-delimited text files.

Note glossary: Tells TimeCache to automatically import Note glossary listings from properly formatted tab-delimited text files.

Import automatically: Choose one of the options for automatic importing —
Never — turns off automatic list importing.
When TimeCache file is opened — imports lists whenever a TimeCache data file is opened (including when it opens a default data file on launch)
Every 30 minutes/hour/four hours/day — tells TimeCache to load lists at the interval of your choice. If the database is busy at that interval it will try again a few minutes later.

Synchronize projects: When checked, archives any projects in the data file that are not included in the list you're importing. For more information, see Importing lists in the List Manager section of TimeCache Help.

Update matching listings: Tells TimeCache to update identically named listings in a TimeCache data file with information in the imported file.

Look for lists in
Choose Folder: Lets you search for a folder on your hard drive or on a network volume that's mounted on your desktop. You can also drag the folder from the Finder to the blank white area to set a folder to use. If you choose a folder and TimeCache cannot find the files to import, you will be prompted to locate them when the auto import occurs.

None: Clears any folders you have previously chosen.

Text file/QuickBooks list file: Highlight the option for your list source. Text file tells TimeCache to look for properly formatted and named text files as described above. QuickBooks list file tells TimeCache to look for an IIF file as described in the QuickBooks importing document on our Web site.

Prevent creating imported types: This checkbox is normally invisible, but if you need to force the List Manager to enable its buttons you can show it by holding down the Option key before clicking the listing for this TimeCache Preferences panel. Unchecking the checkbox enables the List Manager buttons and also allows you to create listings from the Daily Log.