Using the SpirALS Query Export Manager
The SpirALS Query Export Manager enables you to export cost and student totals information, tables, queries, Custom Queries and Student Filter results to a variety of different file formats including comma delimited text, MS Excel and MS Access formats.
On opening the SpirALS Query Export Manager, you will be presented with a 'wizard' style interface. To navigate through the steps of the Export Manager, simply use the next and back buttons situated at the bottom of the screen, or use the page selection tabs at the top.
Before you are allowed to progress from the first step of the Export Manager, you must first select which type of export you wish to perform from the option group available.
'Export a costs/hours query' includes student information (eg. support need, support heading, staff, course) with total cost, hours and numbers of learners for the fields selected. You can choose actual, estimated or both cost items.
'Export a student count query' includes most of the fields as above with the exception of cost information.
'Export student fields' includes most information from the student table (not grouped or totalled).
You will then need to follow the subsequent steps in the wizard in accordance to the export type you have chosen.
Click the 'Next' button to move to the next screen.
Exporting a student query
Cost queries show actual and/or estimated ALS cost and hours totals, while student totals queries find the total number of learners, for selected fields. For example, ALS costs for a particular age band, or number of learners by age group and gender.
Exporting Student Fields allows you to export more information that the other queries but it will not group or total that information.
Tip: To show records for a saved filter only, click the option 'Show records related to filtered students only'. Select your saved filter from the list before proceeding to step 1 on the illustration below.
Select a costs or student query from the 'Select Export Type' group, then follow the 4 instructions on the illustration below:
Advanced options
Exporting a Custom Query or Student Filter
If you are exporting a Custom Query or Student Filter, the second step of the Export Manager will require you to select which Custom Query or Student Filter you wish to export. This can be done by selecting the name of the Custom Query or Student Filter in the 'Query Name' drop down list, or by browsing using the blue navigational buttons to the right of the same list.
Once you have chosen your query or filter, click the 'Next' button.
Exporting a Table or Query
If you are exporting a table or query, the second step of the Export Manager will require you to select which table or query you wish to export. To pick a table to export, select 'Tables' from the 'Object Type' option group on the right and then choose a table from the list on the left. Likewise, to pick a query, select 'Queries 'from the 'Object Type' option group and choose a query from the list.
Should you wish to export information from the Students tables, you can click on the 'Students Table' button in the 'Quick Select…' area on the right.
Once you have chosen a table or query, click on the 'Next' button to proceed.
Selecting which fields you wish to export
NOTE: This option is not available if you are exporting a custom query.
If you are exporting a Student Filter or a table or query, the next step gives you the option of selecting which fields within the filter, table or query are to be exported.
The list on the left-hand slide displays all the fields available in the chosen Student Filter or a table or query. The list on the right-hand side displays all the fields that have been selected for export.
To add a field (to the fields chosen for export) select the name of the required field from the listing on the left hand side and click on the '>' button. You can select multiple fields at the same time by holding down the CTRL or SHIFT keys.
To add all fields click on the '>>' button.
To remove a field select it from the list on the right and click on the '<' button.
To remove all fields click on the '<<' button.
Once you are satisfied with your selection, click on the 'Next' button.
How to Preview and Export your Student Filter, Custom Query or Table or Query
To preview your export simply click on the 'Preview' button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. This will display a table view of your export.
It is possible to go back over each of the steps in the Export Manager if you wish to revise your choices.
When you are happy with the settings you have chosen for your export, select which file type you wish to export to from the 'Export File Type' drop down list and then click on the 'Export' button. You will be presented with a save file dialogue box, enabling you to save your export to whatever location and under whatever name you choose.