Clean-up Access 2003 database: Prep for CSV/TXT format?

[mhulse]

Hi,

This is my first post here... I hope I am not asking a really stupid question.

Basically I need to cleanly export an Access 2003 database to a TAB-delimited file... The database in question has 1406 rows and several columns... some cells have nothing in them -- this is a "contacts" database.

Long story short, I need to export-out as TAB-delimited (or comma)... I have done this, but when I view my results in Excel, it looks like some things are messed-up... I think there are some tabs hiding around the database that I am not aware of.

Any tips on cleaning-up my database for export to CSV (tab/comma)?

Also, I have one field that is a dropdown list... When I export it out as CSV/TXT I only get a number and not the actual value of the chosen drop-down... Is this normal? How do I get the actual value and not just the number?

Basically, I would like to just normalize this database and get it into a perfect-looking CSV/TXT TAB/Comma delimited file.

I would be willing to pay for this help... I do not have much cash, but I really want to make sure I get this done right the first time.

Many TIA's!
Cheers,
M

 

[mhulse]

Ah, well. I was able to export out as tab delimeted, and then clean-up with Excel. Hehe... This works ok. Database stuff is not my forte.

Thanks anyway.
Cheers,
M

 

[The_Doc_Man]

As to the drop-down list part of your question:

Export from a query where you have either a JOIN to the correct lookup and only export the looked-up value, or use DLookup function (q.v. in Access help) to look up the value. You can export from a query as though it were a table, no sweat.

 

[mhulse]

@The_Doc_Man:

Ahhh, that sounds good to me!

I was actually still having problems with that. I was going to do find/replace in that col via Excel, but if I can save myself the headache and do it on export via Access, then I am all for it!

Thanks for tips Doc! I really appreciate it.

Have a great day/night,
Cheers,
M