This article contains frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding importing and exporting users and groups with AppleShare IP versions 6.0 through 6.2, with answers to those questions.

For information about importing users with AppleShare IP 6.3, please see article 25116:

" AppleShare IP 6.3: Import/Export Retains Passwords, Settings, Relationships ."

1. How do I export my Users & Groups?
2. How do I import my Users & Groups?
3. What is the format for the import/export file?
4. What is the format for the "E-mail Attributes" section for a user?
5. Why can't I import a file into ASIP 6.0 that I exported with ASIP 5.0.x?
6. How can I create an import file using a spreadsheet program?
7. Is there an easier way to transfer Users & Groups to another computer?

Question 1: How do I export my Users & Groups?

Answer : You can create a tab-delimited text file that contains much of the user information needed to populate the "Users & Groups List". Selecting users and groups in the Users & Groups List and choosing Export Users & Groups from the File menu can generate this text file . You must then choose the fields you would like to export (Internet Alias, Comments, Mail Settings). Be sure to keep track of the fields you've selected. You need to remember them when you import the file. During the export a text file is created that includes the information you choose. This file does not contain peripheral user information such as "User may administer server", "Require new password on next login", or "User may log on" (These attributes can be modified after importing the users by using the batch change user attributes). When a group is selected for export, all members of that group are exported. However, the file does not contain any group membership information. For security reasons it is not possible to export the user passwords.

Question 2 : How do I import my Users & Groups?

Answer : Importing users requires a properly formatted import file. When the Users & Groups List is the frontmost window, choose Import Users from the File menu and select the file to be imported. Then choose the fields you would like to import. Be sure to select only the fields that were selected when the file was exported or created. Once all the users are imported you can recreate any groups that you require. Be sure to double check at least one of the users to make sure the import was successful. Note: If you choose to import the Mail Settings you must also import the Internet Alias.

Question 3 : What is the format for the import/export file?

Answer : The file format changes depending on the fields you select to import or export. An example of the basic format is below (selecting to import all fields):

Note: <tab> in these examples means the tab character that is produced when you press the Tab key on the keyboard. <carriage return> in these examples means that a Return character, which is generated by the Return key, should be placed in that spot.

UserName<tab>Internet Alias<tab>Password<tab>Comment<tab>

E-mail Attributes<carriage return>
Jan Wu<tab>j.wu<tab>easypassword<tab>Nice person<tab>

NoMail<carriage return>

Note: The example above should occupy only two lines; it has been artificially wrapped to four lines in this article to conform to web browser constraints.

If you do not want to import the "Comment" field you remove the <tab> and comment text. The E-mail Attributes would slide over to the left and look like this:

UserName<tab>Internet Alias<tab>Password<tab>

E-mail Attributes<carriage return>

Jan Wu<tab>j.wu<tab>easypassword<tab>NoMail<carriage return>

Note: The example above should occupy only two lines; it has been artificially wrapped to three lines in this article to conform to web browser constraints.

Question 4 : What is the format for the "E-mail Attributes" section for a user?

Answer : The import section for user email settings can have many different attributes. Here is the general layout for the "E-mail Attributes", the format changes depending on the Mail Account Setting (No Mail, Has Mail, Autoforwarding).

Mail Account Setting <tab> APOP setting <tab>

Login & Mailbox setting <tab> Notification Preference

Note: The example above should occupy only one line; it has been artificially wrapped to two lines in this article to conform to web browser constraints.

The following is a list of all the possibilities for each mini-field in E-mail Attributes. The keywords indicate the mail setting. Do not put in spaces before or after the TABs.

NoMail
ForwardAppleTalk <tab> Username <tab> Server name <tab> Zone name
ForwardInternet <tab> user@domain.com
HasMail <tab> RequireAPOP <tab> POPOnly <tab> NoNotification
HasMail <tab> NoRequireAPOP <tab> POPOnly <tab> NoNotification
HasMail <tab> NoRequireAPOP <tab> IMAPOnly <tab> NoNotification
HasMail <tab> NoRequireAPOP <tab> BothPOPIMAPShare <tab> NoNotification
HasMail <tab> NoRequireAPOP <tab> BothPOPIMAPSeparate <tab> NoNotification
HasMail <tab> NoRequireAPOP <tab> BothPOPIMAPSeparateShowPOP <tab> NoNotification
HasMail <tab> NoRequireAPOP <tab> BothPOPIMAPShare <tab> EnableNotifyIP <tab> x.x.x.x
HasMail <tab> NoRequireAPOP <tab> BothPOPIMAPShare <tab> EnableNotifyLastIP

Here is an example including the mail settings for a user (this should all be on one line):

Jan Wu <tab> j.wu <tab> password <tab> HasMail <tab> NoRequireAPOP <tab>

BothPOPIMAPShare <tab> NoNotification<carriage return>

Note: The example above should occupy only one line; it has been artificially wrapped to two lines in this article to conform to web browser constraints.

Question 5 : Why can't I import a file into ASIP 6.0 that I exported with ASIP 5.0.x?

Answer : The format of the "E-mail Attributes" section has changed between ASIP 5.0.x and ASIP 6.0. You must modify the file before you can import it into ASIP 6.0.

Question 6 : How can I create an import file using a spreadsheet program?

Answer : As long as the file you create has the proper format described above you can use whatever method you prefer to generate your import file. Most spreadsheet programs allow you to export the spreadsheet document inserting a tab between cells. Make sure the file that you create matches the format that is expected when you choose the fields to import. If you choose to import only the Internet Alias and Mail Settings be sure that your file doesn't include an extra tab that would indicate where the Comments field would go.

Question 7 : Is there an easier way to transfer Users & Groups to another computer?

Answer : Yes. If you have your Users & Groups configured to your liking on one computer you only need to move over the Users & Groups Data File from the Preferences folder of the first computer into the Preferences folder of the second computer. Keep the name of the Users & Groups Data File the same when you copy it to the other computer. You must also restart the other computer with the extensions turned off so you can replace the existing Users & Groups File with the new one. If the extensions are loaded this error appears: "The file is in use and cannot be replaced." Once you've restarted with the new Users & Groups File in place you must open Easy Setup again on the second computer. You must also enter a valid serial number. It can be the same if you are running the File Server on one computer and the Mail Server on another. If you run the File Server on two computers you need two serial numbers.