Importing Text Files Into An Ms Access Database

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Importing Text Files Into an MS Access Database


Overview


When developing MS Access databases, you might need to import data from text files, often called ASCII or flat files. This guide will walk you through the available menu options for importing these files efficiently.

Importing Text Files


Start by navigating to the File menu. Select Get External Data, then Import.... The ellipsis signifies that a dialogue box will prompt you for more details.

Steps for Importing


1. File Type Selection:
- Change the "Files of type:" option to "Text Files (.txt; .csv; .tab; .asc)".
- It's advisable to use the .txt extension for convenience, as it will be easily visible under this choice.

2. Field Delimiters:
- Text files typically have fields separated by a delimiter like a comma or tab. However, a space, semicolon, or other characters can also be used.
- Alternatively, files can have fixed-width fields, where each field occupies the same space in every record.

Delimited Files


Access will automatically detect fields based on delimiters. As you navigate the dialogue boxes, you'll need to:

- Indicate if the first row contains field names.
- Choose or let Access create a table for the data.
- Define field names and adjust field types as needed.
- Specify if fields should be indexed or skipped.
- Add a primary key for new tables.
- Name the table if a new one is being created.

If using a temporary table, default settings are typically fine.

Fixed-Width Files


For fixed-width files, ensure field boundaries are correctly identified. If fields aren't separated by spaces, Access won't recognize where one ends and another begins. Instructions in the dialogue box will guide you on creating, deleting, or moving field break lines. A bit of testing will help you get it right quickly.

For information on exporting data to a text file, visit [Database Lessons](http://www.databaselessons.com/text-files-2.php).

This concise process ensures efficient data importation, making your database management smoother and more organized.

You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Importing Text Files Into An Ms Access Database.

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