Importing data from a text file

Servoy can import data from plain text files (.TXT) into SQL tables. The imported files can:

• Use any separator.
• Have one or more columns.

Commonly used import formats are tab separated (.TAB) and
comma separated (.CSV) files.

To import data from a text file:

• Make sure you are on the form that you want to import data to.
• Choose File > Import > From Text file.

You will see the following Import dialog:

• Click on Browse to display the File Open dialog.
• Navigate to the text file you want to import data from.

• Select the desired file.
• Press the Open button to display the next Import dialog.

In this dialog, you should see an overview of your import data:

For your import, you can choose:

• To use a separator between fields.
• To use a fixed length width to delimit fields.

(if this option is enabled - not "grayed out").

To use a separator:

• Select Use separator.
• Click Next.

• Click the Choose separator radio button next to the type of
  separator you want to use for your import:
  • Tab.
  • Semi-colon.
  • Comma.
  • Space.
  • Other (you can enter your own separator value).

• Check the checkbox First row contains fieldnames.

(only if your field names are in the first line of the text file).

• Click on Text qualifier from the pull-down menu and choose:
  • " - Double quote.
  • ' - Single quote.
  • <none>

A text qualifier is a character that is used to separate text fields.

For example, comma separated files (CSV) generally
show " (double quotes) as a text qualifier.

• Click Next.

• Specify a date format (if applicable to the data you are importing).

For more information, see Importing dates.

• Now map each import field to the corresponding database field (column) you want to import into - by choosing the column name from the pull-down menu in each row of the Database field column.
• Press the Next button to start the import.

When the data has been imported, you will see:

Press Finish to complete the import process.