Part of the Sierra Users Forum
Barb Jarvis, Cook Memorial Public Library District
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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“Who is that up there?”
◦ Barb Jarvis
 Library System Administrator and lover of Create Lists
since 2008
 Cook Memorial Public Library District (CMPLD),
Libertyville, IL
 Approx. 250K bib records, 2 buildings + 1 bookmobile
 Sierra 2.3.0_4 (July, 2016)
 Encore Duet 4.4 SP1 (January, 2015)
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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This is a brief introduction to some “other”
features of Sierra Create Lists.
◦ Three query builders
◦ Learn ways to create a review file of barcode #s (or
other “things”) without using SQL
◦ Learn what “Enhanced” can do that can’t be done in
Classic Create Lists
◦ Peek at JSON (and Excel data-manipulation)
◦ One other Sierra Create Lists button…
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This is not training in JSON.
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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The 3 Query Builders are Classic, Enhanced,
and JSON
Toggle between them by selecting the radio
button
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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Classic: The one you know and love

Enhanced: Similar, “modern” but can do more
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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JSON: Strange, tech-y coding of nested {}, []
JavaScript Object Notation is
an open standard format that
uses human-readable text to
transmit data objects consisting
of attribute–value pairs. It is
used primarily to transmit data
between a server and web
application, as an alternative to
XML.
{"queries":[{"target":{"record":{"type":"item"},”id”:61},“expr":{{“op":“equals"}},"operands":[ …
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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Can toggle between the 3 from several places
◦ While creating a new query
◦ After a query has been run (“Show Info”)
◦ In the “Saved Searches” tab
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Here’s a Classic example using the “between”
operator:
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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In Enhanced, note the boxes on the right
◦
◦
◦
= add a line
= add a group
= delete
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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In JSON, note the Save and Load buttons
Caution:
Save JSON does
not store RecType.
Set it before Load
JSON.
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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Enhanced can do things that Classic cannot, e.g.
use the “IN” operator
“Classic” is grayed out because “IN” is not
available to Classic Create Lists.
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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JSON view of
barcode list:
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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Traditional ways to create a list of barcode#s:
◦ Classic Create Lists – needs an entire new line for
each barcode#
OR ITEM Barcode equal to 31122…
OR ITEM Barcode equal to 31122…
OR ITEM Barcode equal to 31122…
No easy way to replicate a line
◦ Create a review file of 1 barcode#; “Add” to it
◦ “Scan” items into a list using “Labels for Batch
Printing”… Barcode#, F4, [repeat]; copy from a
review file number greater than 80
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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Newer ways to create a list of barcode #s:
◦ Enhanced (no punctuation; best scanning into CL)
◦ JSON or SQL (long lists can be pre-formatted)
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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Manipulate data in Excel to create JSON format
◦
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Do it on your own, or use Richard Jackson’s JSON generator
Debuted at IUG 2017 pre-conference session D01
Paste up to 2,000 barcode numbers in Column A
Notice Column B and Rows 4-5 are compressed
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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Paste barcodes in Cells A7:A2006
B7: =CHAR(34) & A7 & CHAR(34)
B8+: =IF(A8="","",", " & CHAR(34) & A8 & CHAR(34))
B4: {"queries":[{"target":{"record":{"type":"item"},"field":{"tag":"b"}},"expr":[{"op":"in","operands":[
B5: =_xlfn.CONCAT(B7:B2006)
B6: ]}]}]}
D7: =IF(A7="","",_xlfn.CONCAT(B4:B6))
WILIUG Spring, 2017
Questions?
WILIUG Spring, 2017

Create Lists feature new with Sierra:
Create a Review File from a list of record numbers
◦ A handy way to “save” existing Review Files
◦ I now include Item Rec#s in saved spreadsheets and emails
◦ Great if you have a list of record numbers from SQL!
(e.g. Barcodes to Item Record#s)
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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How use Import Records to create a Review File
from a list of record numbers (any type)
◦
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Build a .TXT file of Record Numbers to load
Include the Record Type and Rec#:
e.g. b11818050
Check digit is optional:
e.g. b1181805
File may have other data in it
Click on a large-enough empty Review File
Click on “Import Records” button
Name the Review file
Set the Store Record Type
Click Choose File; find yours
Click Import
WILIUG Spring, 2017
Questions after today?
Contact Barb Jarvis
(224) 513-7416
[email protected]
WILIUG Spring, 2017
Jason Boland, Innovative trainer
WILIUG Spring, 2017
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WILIUG 2011