Extract OCLC Numbers From a File of MMS IDs and Batch Delete Holdings in OCLC

Note: These instructions may be used in conjunction with instructions on Deleting Items in Batch with a Spreadsheet and Deleting Records in Batch Using Sets.

 
Part 1. Gather the MMS IDs

Starting with a set of Titles or Items in Alma, click Content to display the records in the set.

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Screenshot Content button

Then click on the Export list icon to export the list of records as an Excel sheet.

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Screenshot export list icon

The MMS ID numbers for each title appear on the exported sheet. In my example, the MMS IDs appear in the last column of the sheet.

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Screenshot of MMS ID column in Excel sheet
Part 2. Use Analytics to collect the OCLC numbers

In Analytics, click the Create menu, and select Analysis

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Screenshot of create analysis menu

Select the Titles subject area.

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Screenshot of titles subject area

In the Bibliographic Details folder, double-click MMS ID to add it to the criteria for the report.

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Screenshot of select MMS ID from Bibliographic Details folder

From the Bibliographic IDs folder double-click OCLC Control Number single (035a) to add it to the criteria for the report.

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Screenshot of OCLC number in bibliographic IDs folder

Click the settings icon on the MMS ID column and select Filter.

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Screenshot of adding filter

In the New Filter box, keep the Operator setting as is equal to/is in. Click the drop-down arrow on the Value box and click More/Search.

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Screenshot of arrow more search

The Select Values box appears. Click on the Edit icon.

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Screenshot of edit icon

The Edit box appears. From the sheet of MMS IDs you created in part 1, highlight and copy the MMS IDs and paste them into the Edit box, and click OK.

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Screenshot of edit box and ok

Click OK until all the filter boxes close.

Save the report by clicking on the Save icon and give the report a name.

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Screenshot of analytics save icon

Click on the Results tab, and the report appears.

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Screenshot of report results

Since you have saved this report, you can run it over again and just input new MMS IDs into the filter each time.

To export the report to an Excel spreadsheet, click on the icon to export the report to your computer. You can export as either formatted or data.

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Screenshot of Export options
Part 3. Use the OCLC Numbers to Delete Holdings in Connexion

In Connexion, you can use these OCLC numbers to delete holdings in batch.

This example is in the Connexion client, however this can be done in the web interface as well.

Click the Batch menu and select Holdings by OCLC number.

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Screenshot of batch menu

Copy the column of OCLC numbers from the Excel sheet you created in Analytics and paste them into the box in Connexion.

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Screenshot of batch processing box in Connexion

Select Delete Holdings and click OK.

 

 

(updated 1/10/2025)