External Data Import Error

[TomBP]

Hi,

When I import a txt-file in a new table I get a bunch of import errors. I tried to work around this by importing the txt-file into an Excel sheet first. This reduces the number of errors but there remains a whole lot of them. Luckily these are restricted to just one field, namely Material.

What I tried next was to import the Excel sheet into an existing table where all the fields were predefined. The table headings matched these of the Excel sheet. I changed the Material fields data type to Text instead of Number, hoping this would solve my problem. Sadly enough, the sheet won't even import this time?

Can someone assist me in how to get rid of these errors? I have added the txt-file as an attachment.

Thanks in advance!

 

[philosofe]

Hi there Tom,

I imported the text file, but since I don't know what output you'd expect I couldn't say if the result was good or not. I've attached a db with half of the records plus the import spec you'd need, hope it helps.

Regards,
Gustav

 

[TomBP]

Gustav,

From the looks of it you managed to add the parts I was getting an error for. Where can I find this import spec you speak of?

Thanks for your time and help so far!

 

[philosofe]

Hi again,

It's in the mdb i sent you. File->Get External Data and choose the txtfile you want to import, and the Import / Export Wizard starts. On the bottom left hand you'll see a button named "Advanced". Click it, then choose "Specs" and choose the only specification that's in there (namned "Import"). You'll see the different fields and their formatting (now everything goes in as string values, you might want to change some of them to Date/Time or Currency. I personally always import numbers as text not to miss out on any leading zeros, but it's really down to what you want do do with the data).

To get the specification over to your own database, you can make a specification from the same place, or you simply start your db, File->get external Data, look for the mdb with the specification, choose "Options" (bottom right hand) and check "Import / Export Specifications".

Good luck!

Gustav

 

[TomBP]

Gustav,

I can't believe I did not check out the advanced button on the bottom left hand. Thanks for pointing this out!