Using and Understanding Extract Sets

Extract sets are the core of the academic cycle, and mastering them is crucial. Imagine your SIS and 25Live as two great bodies of water separated by land. LYNX is a network of canals used by ships to travel back and forth between them. Extract sets are the locks on those canals which allow them to function. Extract sets control which ships are allowed to travel through the canals in either direction–and sometimes they pause all travel altogether.

Every term, you will create the following:

• An import extract set to control which classes are imported to 25Live
  • Date exceptions to manage holidays and other special scheduling dates
  • Extract set categories to flag events with special categories in 25Live
• An export extract set to control which classes are exported back to the SIS
• If you use final exams, either:
  • An exam import/export extract set to control the movement of exams both ways between 25Live and your SIS
  • An exam creation extract set to define exams in 25Live (which will not be exported to the SIS)

Extract sets take the form of filters, similar to 25Live searches. If a section meets all of an extract set's criteria, we say it is "part of the set". Whenever you trigger an import for an extract set at the beginning of a term, all of its members are imported as events in 25Live. Throughout the year, whenever a section is updated in your SIS it is automatically updated in 25Live–but only if it is a member of an active extract set.

Though several types of extract sets are described above, typically they all use the same set of criteria because they deal with the same classes. Once you figure out the "special sauce" that makes your extract set work, you'll be able to re-use it in whatever context you want.

When to Create Extract Sets

First Time

Especially during your first round of implementing 25Live and LYNX, you should take it easy when creating your extract sets. Your goal is to minimize your workload and cut down on repetition when setting up nearly identical sets.

Try following this plan:

1. First, determine the criteria for your import extract set. How do you determine what to import into 25Live and what to exclude? Use the Tips for Import Extract Sets to guide you.
2. Test your import extract set to make sure it has all the right classes. This is also an opportunity to verify that everything imports successfully. Follow the steps on Testing Your Extract Sets. 
3. Once you've confirmed your import extract set is complete, add date exceptions and categories to it as needed. Now is also a good time to create your bindings. Don't forget to import the extract set again so that your changes and additions are conveyed to 25Live.
4. An export extract set (to bring location assignments back to your SIS) is not required immediately. You might choose to take a break and work on implementing the rest of the academic cycle. When you're ready, see Tips for Export Extract Sets.
5. If you plan to use exams in 25Live, visit Tips For Final Exams in LYNX.

Later Terms

Once you have some experience, you can streamline this process.

1. Create your import, export, and exam extract sets all at the same time at the start of a term. Keep them inactive until you need them.
2. Add date exceptions once your term's holidays and breaks are known.
3. Create bindings once the term is built in your SIS and you know which sections need to meet together.
4. Activate the import extract set and bring classes into 25Live.
5. When ready, activate the export and exam extract sets.

You can even perform step 1 (and even step 2) for multiple terms at once: create enough extract sets right now to last you for the next five years, and all you need to do is activate them at the proper times.