When you dump table data, the Data Dictionary creates a contents file that contains data for each table you specify. Each file has a .d extension. The Data Dictionary uses contents files to load data into your database. The Data Dictionary creates a separate contents file for every table you dump.

Note: OpenEdge allows you to dump .d files exceeding 2GB when your operating system supports large files.

Binary dumps can be a more efficient way of dumping table contents. See the Binary dump and load topic for more information about performing a binary dump and load.

To dump table contents from a multi-tenant table:

  1. Choose Admin > Dump Data and Definitions > Table Contents (.d files) from the menu bar. The Data Dictionary alphabetically lists all the tables defined for your database (hidden tables do not display).
  2. Select the table names whose contents you want to dump. Use the Select Some and Deselect Some buttons to select or deselect groups of tables.
  3. Press GO.

    If you selected a single table, the Data Dictionary displays a default name for the file that you can dump your table contents into. This default file name is always the dump name of the table definition file, with a .d extension. If you want to specify a file name other than the default file, type the name in the Output File field.

    If you selected more than one table, the Data Dictionary prompts you for a directory name to write the contents files. If you do not specify a directory, the Data Dictionary creates the files in the current directory. The Data Dictionary names each contents file with the table’s corresponding dump name.

  4. Accept the default or enter a different name.
  5. If your table contains large objects, accept the Include LOB default of yes; otherwise, choose no.
  6. If you chose yes in Step 5, type in the LOB directory field the name of the directory that contains the LOB.
  7. If you want to use character mapping, enter the character mapping, then choose OK. See Internationalize ABL Applications for information about character mapping, PROTERMCAP, and national language support.