Every three months I receive an update to a database in a txt file format. I
have to go and set up the file structure or format everytime I want to use
the new txt file. The file structure / format never changes. Is there a way
to apply a standardized file structure / format to the txt file when I
receive it?

James Quigley wrote:
> Every three months I receive an update to a database in a txt file format. I
> have to go and set up the file structure or format everytime I want to use
> the new txt file. The file structure / format never changes. Is there a way
> to apply a standardized file structure / format to the txt file when I
> receive it?
If I'm reading this correctly, you could create a table with the proper
column definitions, then programatically import the file into the table.

On Mon, 28 May 2007 11:23:00 -0700, James Quigley
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Every three months I receive an update to a database in a txt file format. I
>have to go and set up the file structure or format everytime I want to use
>the new txt file. The file structure / format never changes. Is there a way
>to apply a standardized file structure / format to the txt file when I
>receive it?

Yes, there is!

Use File... Get External Data... Import, and go through the column name and
datatype settings as usual. Then click the "Advanced" button on the menu.

You'll get the option to save the import specifications and reuse them later.
If you wish to automate the import process in VBA, you can use the saved
specification in conjunction with the TransferText method - see the online
help, or post back for more.

John W. Vinson [MVP]

bull ****


it is not reccomended to use Access for importing data like this; it is
reccomended that you get a copy of SQL Server developers edition and learn
DTS


"John W. Vinson" <jvinson@STOP_SPAM.WysardOfInfo.com> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Mon, 28 May 2007 11:23:00 -0700, James Quigley
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>Every three months I receive an update to a database in a txt file format.
>>I
>>have to go and set up the file structure or format everytime I want to use
>>the new txt file. The file structure / format never changes. Is there a
>>way
>>to apply a standardized file structure / format to the txt file when I
>>receive it?
>
> Yes, there is!
>
> Use File... Get External Data... Import, and go through the column name
> and
> datatype settings as usual. Then click the "Advanced" button on the menu.
>
> You'll get the option to save the import specifications and reuse them
> later.
> If you wish to automate the import process in VBA, you can use the saved
> specification in conjunction with the TransferText method - see the online
> help, or post back for more.
>
> John W. Vinson [MVP]