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DDA/DDE PowerSchool

Database   PowerSchool data is stored in a relational database

of tables. Each table contains an unlimited number of fields. When you use DDA or DDE, you directly access a table in the relational database.

Direct Database Export (DDE)

  Create an export file or report from information in the tables.

  Can export all records from a table or filter the information to export specific records.

  Can export all fields or specific fields.

  Can change information through Student Field Value.

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Direct Database Access (DDA)

  Same as DDE with differences.   Modify/delete records.   Select all fields to export.

Tables and Fields   Download Document #57629 from PowerSource –

ps6x_data_dictionary_tbl. LOTS of good information.

  This url doesn’t work in 6.2.1 (PowerSource says it is being researched):   http://[your.school.address]/admin/home?

ac=structure gives a complete list of PowerSchool tables and fields.

Table Example

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Data Types   String 20 – text with maximum of 20 characters

  Text – up to 256 characters

  Integer – number before the decimal point

  Real – number including after decimal point

  BLOB – binary large object (photo)

  Boolean – check marks

  Date

DDE   System > Direct Direct Database Export

  May need to filter several times to get the information you need.

DDA   http://[your.school.address]/admin/tech/usm/

  If you don’t put the slash after usm, it takes you to a different page when you click on Select or Search.

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DDE/DDA Search   Use the pop-up menu to select a field.

  Choose a field from the first pop-up menu.

  Choose an operator from the second pop-up menu.

Equals (=) Greater than or equal to (>=)

Less than (<) Does not equal (#)

Greater than (>) Contains (contains)

Less than or equal to (<=) Does not contain (!Contain)

  Enter the value for the field in the last field.

DDE Export   Click Export Records.

  Select fields from pop-up menu. Can only do one at a time.

DDA Export   Click Export Records.

  Can click Use All Fields.

  Delete fields you don’t want to export.

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Exporting with a Template   Setting up templates to

export data on searches you do on a regular basis is a time saver.

  You can export information from the following tables:   Students

  Courses

  Student Schedules

  Staff

  Historical Grades

Create an Export Template   Start Page > Special Functions > Importing and

Exporting > Templates for Exporting.

  Click New and enter template name.

  Choose a table, check “Put column titles on first row”, and click “Submit”.

  Click on the 0 under #Columns for your template.

  Click New to add fields to be exported.

  If the data is from a different table, you must specify the table name with []. Ex: [Courses]course_name

DDA Modify   Be VERY sure you know what you are doing!!!

  Use pop-up menu to select field to modify.

  Enter the value in the field.

  Click Modify Selected Records.

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DDA Delete   Be VERY, VERY sure you know what you are doing!!!

  Check box “Check here to verify a delete command”

  Click Delete Selected Records.

Student Field Value   Another way to modify

records.

  In DDE or search, select students.

  Go to Start Page > Current Selection

  In functions, select student field value.

Student Field Value

  Enter the field name you want to modify.

  Enter the field value.

  Click submit.

  Check the information before you click submit.

  Click Back then Resend.

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Layered Search   In DDE, select a table (ex:

Teachers)

  Choose Status = 1 (current)

  Choose GradebookType = 1

  Click Search all records [x] in this table

  Choose TeacherLoginPW = test

  Click Search within the current [x] records only

  Click Export Records

  Select fields to export and click submit

Match Selection Using two different tables

  In DDE, select the Students table

  Choose Enroll_Status = 0

  Choose Genter = M

  Click Search all [x] records in this table

  Select the Log table

  Click Select All [x] records in this table

  Click Match Selection

  Choose Students from the menu

  Click Proceed to match selection

  Click Export Records

  Select fields to export

  Check Surround fields in case a field may have paragraphs, and click submit

Warning!   You must be EXTRA careful when using DDE/DDA

and Student Field Value.

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Questions?

  http://www.esu1.org/technology/VanCleave.html

Contact Information

Email: scleave@esu1.org

Home: 402-256-3447

Cell: 402-518-0678

Skype Account: scleave

AIM Account: vancleaves100550

Sharon Van Cleave PowerSchool Consultant