Sometimes you�ll want to share the specimen data that you�ve collected with others in your professional circle. Other times you may want to use your data in other applications such as charting, word processing, page layout, or statistical modeling tools. The export command is how you�ll do that. When paired with the import process the export process is a great way to transfer records between databases or between computers.

The Export command writes files in XML format. XML is an acronym for eXtensible Markup Language. It is a standard adopted by the World Wide Web Consortium for writing files that are �self descriptive�. The formal definition of an XML file is contained in a data type definition (DTD) file. The DTD used by The Compleat Botanica is specified in the file CompleatBotanicaSchema.xml.

The Compleat Botanica can write five types of XML files: specimen, filters, categories, vernacular names, and taxonomic records. The Export command for each of these five types is available from the File menu and is synchronized with the current view. So to export specimen records your current window should be one of the Specimen Views; to export filters your current view should be the Filter view; to export custom categories your current view should be the Categories View; to export common names your current view should be the Vernacular Names View; and finally, to export taxonomic records your current view should be the Checklist.

Each of the five Export operations is similar; see the details of each by following the the instructions in the Index to exporting data.