DOCUMENT:Q183638 08-APR-1998 [vbwin] TITLE :HOWTO: Create a Custom Text File Import Routine PRODUCT :Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows PROD/VER:WINDOWS:5.0,97 OPER/SYS:WINDOWS KEYWORDS:vb5all vb5howto VBKBDAO VBKBVBA ====================================================================== --------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Visual Basic Professional and Enterprise Editions for Windows, version 5.0 - Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, version 5.0 - Microsoft Access 97 --------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= This article provides a framework for a custom text import routine using low-level file I/O to read files, string parsing, and DAO to store the data. MORE INFORMATION ================ When importing delimited text files, the Jet Text ISAM driver truncates leading spaces on fields not surrounded by quotes or other text qualifiers, and truncates trailing spaces on all fields regardless of whether quotes are used to qualify the data. If you need leading and/or trailing spaces to be preserved or need to read the data in a situation where Jet's Text ISAM driver cannot be used, you will need a custom import routine. The following code is a template you can use to build a custom import routine. WARNING: Your use or modification of the CODE provided in this article is at your own risk. Microsoft provides this CODE "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. Microsoft does not support modifications of the CODE to suit specific customer requirements. Sample Code: ------------ 1. Using Notepad, create a text file with the following data: 1, Description 1 ,1,100.00,3/1/1998 2, Description 2 ,2,200.00,3/2/1998 2. Save the file as c:\test.txt. 3. In Visual Basic, create a new project and add a reference for Microsoft DAO 3.5 Object Library. In Access, open the Northwind.MDB database. 4. Create a new form with a CommandButton (Command1) and the following code: Private Sub Command1_Click () Dim F As Long, sLine As String, A(0 To 4) As String Dim db As Database, rs As Recordset F = FreeFile Open "c:\test.txt" For Input As F ' uncomment following line if you want to skip field headings ' Line Input #F, sLine Set db = CurrentDb ' Access only Set db = DBEngine(0).OpenDatabase("biblio.mdb") ' Visual Basic On Error Resume Next db.Execute "DROP TABLE TestImport" On Error Goto 0 db.Execute "CREATE TABLE TestImport (ID LONG, [Desc] TEXT (50), " _ & "Qty LONG, Cost CURRENCY, OrdDate DATETIME)" Set rs = db.OpenRecordset("TestImport", dbOpenTable) Do While Not EOF(F) Line Input #F, sLine ParseToArray sLine, A() rs.AddNew rs(0) = Val(A(0)) rs(1) = A(1) rs(2) = Val(A(2)) rs(3) = Val(A(3)) rs(4) = CDate(A(4)) rs.Update Loop rs.Close db.Close Close #F End Sub Sub ParseToArray(sLine As String, A() As String) Dim P As Long, LastPos As Long, I As Long P = InStr(sLine, ",") Do While P A(I) = Mid$(sLine, LastPos + 1, P - LastPos - 1) LastPos = P I = I + 1 P = InStr(LastPos + 1, sLine, ",", vbBinaryCompare) Loop A(I) = Mid$(sLine, LastPos + 1) End Sub 5. Run the project/form and click the CommandButton to import the data. 6. Examine the contents of the TestImport table and note that the Desc column has both leading and trailing spaces preserved and that other fields have been correctly converted to the appropriate data type. NOTE: In Visual Basic, you can use the VISDATA sample project to examine the contents of the table. (c) Microsoft Corporation 1998, All Rights Reserved. Contributions by Malcolm Stewart, Microsoft Corporation ====================================================================== Keywords : vb5all vb5howto VBKBDAO VBKBVBA Technology : KBVBA Version : WINDOWS:5.0,97 Platform : WINDOWS Issue type : kbhowto ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.