Saving Changed Import Specification

[Guest]

In ACCESS 2000 (SP-3) when I try to modify an import specification, I cannot.

I have an import spec for fixed-length ASCII text data file of 32 fields
about 280 characters long. When I try to add two more fields to it (to
accomodate all 312 characters of each record) I get to the point of Saving
the import spec or using it and the two additional fields disappear
immediately upon clicking either button.

I have examined my MSysIMEXColumns table and find that it does not permit
entry or changes of any kind. (I mention this because I am guessing it might
be significant.)

Thanks to anyone who has an answer.

Larry Schuller (e-mail address removed)

 

[Ken Snell [MVP]]

Larry -

I cannot find the info in my files, nor by searching on Knowledge Base site,
nor by "Google" search, but I seem to recall that Microsoft had issued a
post-SP3 hotfix for ACCESS 2000 that addressed this issue. (I know, lots of
good that that does if I can't find the information about it, right?)

If I recall correctly, the workaround without the hotfix was to start the
import process manually, go through all the windows to set up the field
names and widths, etc. for the fixed-width fields, then on the last window
before doing the actual import, click the Advanced button and save the
"specifications" that you see there.

Not a very efficient process, I know, as it doesn't let you use the existing
spec for much of anything.

Regarding the system tables being "noneditable", you might try using update
query to modify them? I actually haven't messed around with them, but that
was a recommendation by John Nurick, ACCESS MVP, in a previous thread.

 

[Joe Fallon]

The table: MSysIMEXColumns is not editable directly.
But a Select query of the table is.

You should try to see if the SP fixes the issue first though.