1. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
Part of the Sierra Users Forum
Barb Jarvis, Cook Memorial Public Library District
WILIUG Spring, 2017

2. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
“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

3. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
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…
This is not training in JSON.
WILIUG Spring, 2017

4. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
The 3 Query Builders are Classic, Enhanced, and JSON
Toggle between them by selecting the radio button
WILIUG Spring, 2017

5. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
Classic: The one you know and love
Enhanced: Similar, “modern” but can do more
WILIUG Spring, 2017

6. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
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

7. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
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
Here’s a Classic example using the “between” operator:
WILIUG Spring, 2017

8. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
In Enhanced, note the boxes on the right
= add a line
= add a group
= delete
WILIUG Spring, 2017

9. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
In JSON, note the Save and Load buttons
Caution:
Save JSON does not store RecType. Set it before Load JSON.
WILIUG Spring, 2017

10. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
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

11. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
JSON view of
barcode list:
WILIUG Spring, 2017

12. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
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…
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

13. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
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

14. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
Manipulate data in Excel to create JSON format
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

15. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
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

16. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
Questions?
WILIUG Spring, 2017

17. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
WILIUG Fall, 2014 Meeting
Fri, 10/3/2014
New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
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 s
Great if you have a list of record numbers from SQL!
(e.g. Barcodes to Item Record#s)
WILIUG Spring, 2017

18. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
How use Import Records to create a Review File from a list of record numbers (any type)
Build a .TXT file of Record Numbers to load
Include the Record Type and Rec#: e.g. b
Check digit is optional: e.g. b
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

19. New “Tricks” in Sierra Create Lists
Questions after today?
Contact Barb Jarvis
(224)
WILIUG Spring, 2017

20. Jason Boland, Innovative trainer
WILIUG Fall, 2014 Meeting
Fri, 10/3/2014
Jason Boland, Innovative trainer
WILIUG Spring, 2017
WILIUG 2011