Convert records in a list to another authority file
You can change the records you have open in List Manager to another file to open related records.
Overview
When you have a list of records in List Manager, you can convert them to another authority file to view those same records from another point of view. You can do this with a function called Convert to Authority.
For example:
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From a list of natural history specimen objects, you can find out what species are represented by converting to the Classification file.
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From a list of objects, you can create a list of their acquisition sources by converting to the Person file.
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From a list of people, you can create a list of associated places by converting to the Place file.
You can, of course, achieve similar results by simply preparing a report within the original file. For example, you can prepare a report in the Object file in which you select Acquisition Source as a field to display. Each object will then show its individual acquisition source. But if a number of objects were acquired from the same source, that name will appear multiple times, once with each object to which it applies.
By using the Convert to Authority function in List Manager, each acquisition source will appear only once. This is particularly useful when, for example, you have a list of 200 objects included in an exhibition and wish to send invitations to their donors and lenders.
Steps
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With a list of records open in List Manager, go to the Records menu and click Convert to Authority.
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Select the file you want to convert your list into and click OK.
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Select the field you want to see and click OK.
