When you first start using Dabble DB, or any time you add a new category, you will be asked to build the category, either from data that already exists, or “from scratch”. If you have existing data, you can either copy and paste it from your computer, or import it from the web.

Creating a new category

Once you’ve pasted data, entered a web site or some scratch data, you will confirm the field names and types.

If you have data on your computer in a spreadsheet or table, you can simply copy and paste it into the box. Dabble DB will read the data and convert it into a structured database form. You can import data directly from Microsoft Excel using this method — simply select everything in Excel, choose Copy, and then paste into the box on your browser.

Dabble DB also supports pasting data from any tab- or comma-delimited table, also known as TSV and CSV.

If you have data on the web you wish to use, Dabble DB can import it for you. Click the Import data from a website button and then type or paste the URL of the web page in.

Dabble can read tables on web pages written in HTML or XHTML. It can also read “plain” tab- or comma-delimited text files served on the web. Finally, you can also directly import RSS and Atom feeds.

If you have no pre-existing data, you can choose to start from scratch. Click the button, and then you can enter in a series of column/field labels as well as any initial data you wish to add. Type the labels into the first row, and enter any data into the subsequent “entry” rows.

You can add up to 8 fields and 6 entries to start. You can change the fields and data or add more after you’ve built the category. Any columns or rows you leave blank will be ignored.

If you wish, you can use one of the examples to get started. Select an example, and click Add fields. (Any labels or data you’ve already typed will be erased if you use an example.)

Type field names into the first row and any data into subsequent rows

Read about Step 2 of creating new categories and/or importing data.