Using Text File Structure Wizard

A "real" database must contain structured data. Text databases lack data structure, which means that the structure must be defined before a text file can be used as a data source. Define the structure using the Text File Structure Wizard.

To complete the text file structure wizard, complete the below-described steps.

Step 1: Welcome

The welcome window displays the text file you are going to convert into a database and use as a data source of an object. Make sure the correct text file is displayed under Selected text file.

Click Next.

Step 2: Data Encoding

This step sets the Encoding type. The following types are available:

• Auto

• ASCII

• UTF-8

• UTF-16

• UTF-16BE

When in doubt which encoding should be used, select Auto for automatic detection of encoding type. Auto identifies the encoding type by reading the BOM unicode character. If BOM is not included or is misinterpreted, Auto presumes, the text uses ASCII encoding.

Inadequate character type identification might cause the database structure to be displayed incorrectly.

Click Next.

Step 3: Data Structure

This step defines the fields to be used in the text database. There are two options:

• Delimited: fields are separated by a delimiter.

• Fixed width: fields with predefined (fixed) length.

• First row contains field names: defines if the field names are included in the first row of the database file.

  • Start import at row defines the row in the database file from which the data import starts. This option enables skipping the rows that do not include data.

Check the preview field. Click Next if the text content is displayed properly.

Step 4: Set Column Breaks

This step depends on the previously selected data structure option – Delimited or Fixed width.

Delimited opens the Fields Delimiter window.

• Delimiter: defines the delimiting character. Select among the standard characters or insert a custom delimiter in Other field.

• Text qualifier: a character that indicates textual content. Text qualifier should be used if a delimiter is a part of the text field content. Text qualifier should be used to enclose such field – the text between two text qualifiers is treated as a single field although it contains a delimiter.

Fixed width opens the Set Column Breaks window. Use your mouse pointer to place the vertical lines where the data fields are going to be separated. The lines indicate where new fields start.

Click Next.

Step 5: Fields

Fields window allows you to manipulate and fine-tune the field names and the order in which they are displayed. The below-listed settings are also available:

• In case of Delimited fields, the Field Name can be customized.

• With Fixed width fields, the following settings are allowed:

  • Include: includes a field in the selection.

  • Field name: custom name for the field.

  • Offset: separation line distance from the left table edge.

  • Length: field length.

Click Finish. Text file database structure is set.