# Maintaining Library Objects

Export and Import Library Objects Utilities |

The Export Library Objects to Text File utility is used to save definitions of panel objects for output to a text file. The panel object definitions in the text file can then be imported into a different library using the Import Library Objects from Text File utility. These utilities are used for panel objects only.

Library objects can be copied between libraries by using the Copy button on the Library Object Selection tool bar or by selecting Options > Copy from the menu bar (see Copying Library Objects). However, using the Export Library Objects to Text File and Import Library Objects from Text File utilities is a more efficient method when a number of panels must be copied (for example, if you installed your application on several systems and want to update all the panels in the application library).

#### Important Note:
For consistent results, ensure that your libraries are exported to and imported from the same version of PxPlus.
As of PxPlus 2018, the Export Library Objects to Text File and Import Library Objects from Text File utilities have been revised using an updated format for the export text file. While the previous format can still be used by the updated Import Library Objects from Text File utility, the new format generated by the Export Library Objects to Text File utility is not backwards compatible with previous versions.

## Export Library Objects to Text File

The Export Library Objects to Text File utility is invoked from the Library Object Selection window either by clicking the Export tool bar button or by selecting Utilities > Export from the menu bar.

This window consists of the following:

Library | Name of the library file to be exported as a text file. (Default is the current library.) Click the Query button to specify a different library file. Click the drop-down arrow for a list (up to nine) of previous selections.
Export File | Name of the text file to use for the output. (Default is the current library name with the suffix .txt.) Click the Query button to select a text file.
Clear export file before update | Check box to indicate whether the text file is to be purged before it is written to. (Default is On.)
Select library objects to export | Displays a list of panel objects in the selected library that are available for exporting. Click the check box next to an object to select it for export.
Export | Outputs the definitions of the selected panel objects to the specified text file and displays a message when the process is completed.
Close | Exits the utility.

## Import Library Objects from Text File

The Import Library Objects from Text File utility is invoked from the Library Object Selection window either by clicking the Import tool bar button or by selecting Utilities > Import from the menu bar.

This utility will only accept a formatted text file that has been created previously using the Export Library Objects to Text File utility.

This window consists of the following:

Import File | Enter the name of a valid text file to import or click the Query button.
Library | Name of the library that will receive the imported panel object definitions. (Default is the current library.) Click the Query button to specify a different library file. Click the drop-down arrow for a list (up to nine) of previous selections.
Select library objects to import | Displays a list of panel object definitions in the selected text file that are available for importing. Click the check box next to an object to select it for import.
Import | Imports the definitions of the selected panel objects into the specified library and displays a message when the process is completed.
Close | Exits the utility.

## Export/Import Library Objects Process

These steps guide you through the Export/Import Library Objects process:

Step | Description
1. | Invoke the Export Library Objects to Text File utility to specify the library file to export and enter the name of the text file for the output.
2. | From the list of available panel objects, select the objects to export.
3. | Click the Export button to output to the specified text file. A message displays when the export is completed.
4. | Invoke the Import Library Objects from Text File utility to specify the text file to import and enter the library file that is to receive the imported panel object definitions.
5. | From the list of available panel object definitions, select the objects to import.
6. | Click the Import button to import into the specified library. A message displays when the import is completed.
7. | Review the objects list in the library to verify that the selected panel objects have been imported.