Fixed-Width Text (BOM) Files
Fixed-width text files contain fields of predetermined and constant widths, thereby ensuring that field values always appear in the same location within the file. This file type is generally available from CAD systems, where it is commonly referred to as a bill of materials (BOM) file. An example of a BOM follows.
74LS00 1 U1
74LS04 2 U2-U3
2N2222 1 Q1
The main feature of a BOM is its columnar format. The data fields in each line or record are formatted identically.
Imports
When you import the data in a BOM, the Import Wizard 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. After the Import Wizard has examined the text file to determine where column breaks occur, it displays sample data, using vertical lines to designate the column breaks.
If column breaks are not specified correctly, you can adjust them by performing the procedures in the following table.
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Required Action
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Procedure
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Add a field break
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In the table, click in the location where you want to insert a new vertical line.
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Move a field break
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Click and drag the vertical line to the appropriate location.
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Delete a field break
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Double-click the vertical marker to remove.
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Exports
When exporting data to a BOM, the Export Wizard asks for information about the column settings for the file to create. For each field to export, the Export Wizard identifies a starting column and ending column and indicates whether the field is left or right justified. You can either accept these default settings or modify them to suit your needs.