ASCII .DAT, .TXT Data File Export Automation Options

Since the Export Options dialog is not displayed when the program is driven from an automation script, an options string can be specified in the script. The string consists of comma-separated parameters, which specify the behavior of the various import options. A typical example would be:

 " Delimiter=comma; TextQualifier=singlequote "

This would set the delimiter character to a comma and the text qualifier character to the single-quote mark ( ‘ ).

Option

Action

Default

Description

Delimiter

tab = tab

comma = comma

semicolon = semicolon

space = space

other = enter the delimiter character

comma

Character that separates data cell values. Only one delimiter character should be specified on export.   For example, if you want to export a data file using a percent signs to delimit data, add a "Delimiter=%" to the export options string.

TextQualifier

doublequote = doublequote (")

singlequote = singlequote (')

none = none

other = enter the text qualifier

doublequote

Specifies the character that surrounds cells containing text. Only one text qualifier character should be specified on export. For example, if you want to export a data file using a single quote mark as the text qualifier, add “TextQualifier=singlequote” to the export options string.

FileFormat

BIFF8 = Excel-97

BIFF5 = Excel-95

BIFF8

Determines the file format when saving an XLS file.

Remarks

When specifying a delimiter and text-qualifier a semicolon is placed between the option pair, for example:

"Delimiter=semicolon,; TextQualifier=singlequote "

See Also

Data File Formats

Data Import Options

Data Export Options

ASCII Data Import Automation Options