A practical checklist

  1. Create stable field names and map notebook nicknames to those names before entering work.
  2. Transfer a small batch in date order, including units exactly as written.
  3. Compare the digital entries with the source pages before moving to the next batch.
Illustrative recordA worked example

Notebook “N40, Sept 18, seed 12 bags” becomes a Seeding entry for North 40. Notes preserve “12 bags; bag size not recorded.” It is not entered as kilograms because the weight is unknown.

What to avoid

Do not discard the notebook after typing its entries. The original may contain context, sketches, or evidence that the digital summary does not capture.

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