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Improve user export and import

1 Requirements

The export/import functionality is quite consistent overall, with one big exception being user export. During my tests for ILIAS 5.1, I reported several issues that could not be solved due to lacking time or funding. I suggest to improve these issues for ILIAS 5.2, as the current implementation - while generally working - really lacks the polishing I would expect from a user perspective.

1.1 Current issues

Specifically, here are three issues I reported:

1. Superior export form for downloads for user management (Mantis #17347)

Export files can only be downloaded by selecting a single checkbox and clicking on "Download". As you can only ever download one export file at a time, the checkbox doesn’t make sense here. Export files of other modules can be downloaded through a single click on a Download link in the same table row.

2. Wrong time stamp in Excel export (Mantis #17352)

When I export users as XLS, the file contains a column "Letzte Aktualisierung" ("Last update"). In my tests, the time stamp is wrong (+1 hour, e.g. 12:45 instead of 11:45). System time is correct, I can only observe this in the export files. Maybe some time zone problem? In my user settings, it’s set correctly to GMT+1.

3. Importing users leads to warning - "update" not possible (Mantis #17348)

I exported a handful of users from Test50 in order to import them on Test51. These users are not yet in the system. Surprisingly, ILIAS will give me the following warning: "Kann "Update" Aktion nicht ausführen. Kein Benutzerkonto in Datenbank vorhanden." ("Cannot execute "Update" action. User account does not exist in database.")

I didn’t ask to "update" users though, but just want to import NEW users from another platform.

FWIW, I can import the users nonetheless, if I choose "Aktualisere bei Konflikt" ("Update in case of conflict"). I can imagine what’s happening here in the background, but it doesn’t look like a user-friendly implementation to me.

1.2 Suggested solutions

1. Improve the export form in Administration > User Management > Export in such a way that the "Download" links to the export files are provided as in all other ILIAS objects. Get rid of the need to activate a checkbox in order to download a file.

2. Fix the time stamps in Excel exports.

3. This one likely requires the biggest amount of work. I would suggest to improve both the look of this form (which is very dated), the definition of "conflicts" and the behavior in case of a conflict, including the wording of the message. It would likely also be required to introduce a distinction between a user "UPDATE" and a new user "CREATION". In order to make a detailed suggestion, it would be helpful to know which cases exist in the current implementation and which are required.

For this concrete case reported under 17348, I would expect a message like the following:

The following two users do not exist on this installation:

• dummykruse
• dummykruse2

Do you want to create these users now?
(Create users) - (Skip and don’t create any new users)

I guess this is more complex, though, as it might be necessary to select roles (or maybe even add new ones, if these can be exported together with a user?) and define procedures for database conflicts. I would be willing to contribute to a more thorough suggestion for an improvement, if the maintainer and/or product manager could provide information on the intended use cases.

1.3 Further issues

I know that, generally, only one feature should be introduced per request. But as touching any of these issues will likely require a complete overhaul of the user export/import, I guess it is a good idea to collect ideas and requirements on this page. Further ideas are welcome. If they need to be split up at a later point, please let me know!

2 Additional Information

• Idea / concept: Kruse, Fabian [Fabian]
• Interest in funding: (please indicate if you are interested/able to fund this feature)
• Maintainer: (will be set by Jour Fixe / maintainer)
• Implementation of the feature is done by (will be set by Jour Fixe / maintainer)
• Testcases by: (please add your name if you want to create the testcases for this feature)

3 Discussion

Zenzen, Enrico [ezenzen], 18 AUG 2022: This request no longer fulfills the requirements of the Feature Wiki. In consultation with the maintainer I change the status of the feature request to "Redundant / outdated". If the request is still relevant, please update template and mockups.

4 Implementation

{please give a description of the final implementation and add screenshots if possible}

Test Cases

Test cases completed at {date} by {user}

• {Test case number linked to Testrail} : {test case title}

Approval

Approved at {date} by {user}.