Delimited Text Files
Delimited text files contain fields of varying width. A special character called a delimiter separates the field values. Common delimiters include commas and tabs. Delimited files are a standard throughout the industry for transferring readable files between programs that could not otherwise understand each other’s files. Delimited files can be generated from nearly any database, spreadsheet, or word-processing program, and they can also be generated from many CAD systems. An example of a delimited file follows.
74LS00, 1, U1
74LS04, 2, U2-U3
2N2222, 1, Q1
In this example, each line of information represents an individual record. Thus, importing this data would result in three records being added. Each line in this example includes three field values separated or delimited by commas. These field values consist of a part number, a quantity, and a reference designator. Below is an example of the same delimited file in a slightly different form.
“74LS00”, 1, “U1”
“74LS04”, 2, “U2-U3”
“2N2222”, 1, “Q1”
This file includes quotation marks (“”) around field values that are text-based fields (part number and reference designator). In this case, the quotation marks are referred to as qualifiers. Text files may or may not include qualifiers. You can import delimited text files with or without qualifiers.
Imports
When you import data in a delimited text file, the Import Wizard requests information regarding delimiters and qualifiers. Sample data is displayed, and columns are designated based on the selected delimiter. If the information in the columns is not divided properly, you can switch the delimiter to view the outcome of the change. During the import process, the Import Wizard also asks for information regarding additional lines that might be included in the text file. Sometimes a file may have an extra header or footer line. If you specify that headers or footers are present in the text file, these lines of information are ignored during the import process.
Exports
When you export data to a delimited text file, the Export Wizard requests information about the delimiter and text qualifier to use. You can select from lists of standard delimiters (including commas and semicolons) and qualifiers (single quote, double quote, and no qualifier).