Make duplicate copy of artist and line-up

[KAM]

Is there any way to duplicate an existing artist, with all the properties, and then change the name?

I'm working my way through updating obscure corners of my database. I have a group of musicians who have recorded together under multiple different names. I've built the full line-up for one of these Artist names. Ideally I'd like to 'save as' and use each of the other recording names the performers have used. The details will have to be changed in each subsequent Artist (dates of membership especially) but at least the names and instruments would already be in place.

I can see how to export an Artist entry as XML, and I could edit this outside CATraxx, but I can't find any means of importing the revised version.

Any ideas?

Thanks and regards 

[DougWilliams]

Hi KAM,
It's not as simple as it could be.
Create a new, empty database.
Transfer just the Artist/Person table.
Delete all but the Artist needed. Change the name.
Then transfer that artist back to the original database.

[KAM]

Thanks Doug - I'll give that a try.

It's a kind of "I'd like to open the door" - "OK, first build your new house, then demolish the old one ... " kind of solution!
But I definitely wouldn't have even thought of that route without you.

Let's hope it still produces the time-saving I'm hoping for!

[gordonk]

Kam, would it help to use Access to open the database, copy the entry in the Artist Person table and then reenter it in your "new" entry? Of course, as Doug would insist, Back up first!
Gordon K

[KAM]

Hi both

After further experimentation I think I've found a method that works for me and seems less potentially disruptive.

I've used the Copy Track Data function. I created a custom template (Tools > Options > Copy Track Data) that only copies the Musician information for a track.
Let's assume I have five artists A, B, C, D and E, all with broadly the same lineup.
Fill in the lineup for A (gotta start somewhere!)
Then go to a track recorded by B (without the lineup info as yet) and use the custom Copy Track Data template to bring in the musicians from any of A's tracks.
Now I have the lineup associated with B's name.
Rinse and repeat for C, D and E.

Good old CATraxx. The answer (for me) was in there all along!