Need to save file for mainframe

[Guest]

I have data that has been pulled in from a query in access and saved as a tab
delimited file. I have then imported it into Excel with the hope of
formatting this data into the proper specs for upload to a MainFrame. I want
to pad some of the fields with either an empty space or with zeroes. Within
Excel I have created a custom filter to accomplish this task. When I export
however, I am unable to save the file with the proper formatting (no matter
how I save this file). I end up with a tab delimited file instead of being
able to combine theses fields with the proper zeroes or spaces. Can anyone
help with this?

Example:
1-2 record code
3-14 Numeric
15-24 Numeric
25-36 Amount
37-44 Date
etc,etc...

Rick

 

[Guest]

set the column width to the field length and save as Formatted Text (space
delimited)

 

[Earl Kiosterud]

Rick,

It sounds as if you need a fixed-width-field file, not a delimited file.
This can be done by saving as "space-delimited (prn)", if you set it up
properly. Look at www.smokeylake.com/excel. "Text files and Excel."
Section "Writing a text file from an Excel sheet." "Space-delimited." The
numeric fields will be padded with spaces, unless you format the column for
the zeroes. Format - Cells - Number - Custom: 00000 (for 5 characters
total).

There's also a section about writing a fixed-length file with formulas and
the Text Write Program (available there). Try the method above first.