Import charts into Astrotechne

Astrotechne can import Astrodienst-style AAF files and chart-data CSV files into your saved chart library. Natal records can also create or link people records automatically.

Before import

A little cleanup makes chart migration less painful.

Keep a backup of the original export.
Import a small sample first if the file is large.
Check time zones and coordinates after import.
Review duplicate people or chart names before doing client work.

Supported import files

Use the Settings chart-library importer for files that match one of these formats.

AAF

Best for Astro.com/Astrodienst exports. Astrotechne reads Astrodienst-style AAF records and imports chart name, date, time, location, coordinates, and record type where present.

CSV

Best for tools that can export a spreadsheet, or for chart libraries you can convert before import. Each row should describe one chart with date, time, and coordinates.

Astro.com / Astrodienst

Astrodienst documents AAF as the export format for chart data stored in a profile on astro.com.

Sign in to astro.com and open the stored chart data area for your profile.
Use the Astro.com export option for stored Astro data and choose AAF.
Save the downloaded AAF or text file somewhere you can find it.
In Astrotechne, sign in and open the saved chart library import area.
Choose the file and import it. Imported natal charts are linked to people records when the file contains enough person data.

Read Astrodienst AAF notes Astro.com stored data FAQ

Astro Gold, Solar Fire, and similar apps

Astro Gold help describes exporting and moving native chart files, but Astrotechne does not currently parse native Astro Gold, Solar Fire, or SFcht files directly.

Export your chart library from the source app using its backup, email, file sharing, or chart-file export workflow.
If the app can export CSV, use that file and match the columns below.
If it exports a native chart file only, convert the chart data into CSV before importing into Astrotechne.
Keep the original exported backup until you have reviewed the imported charts in Astrotechne.

Astro Gold FAQ Astro Gold settings help

CSV columns Astrotechne accepts

Column names are flexible, but these names are the safest starting point.

name or chart_name

date or birth_date

time or birth_time

latitude

longitude

timezone or utc_offset

location or place

type or chart_type

house_system

zodiac_mode

node_mode

Where imported charts go

Imported charts are added to your saved chart library.

Sign in to import chart files into your saved chart library. Create an account if you want imported charts to stay attached to a new workspace.