Types of ASCII Files


    Q&A can import several kinds of ASCII files.  The following 
samples show two records for each type of ASCII.  If an ASCII file is 
less than about 60 pages you can get the file with Write to view it on 
the screen.  The ASCII file can be edited in Write if necessary.  It's 
a good idea to set the margins wide (240 for right margin and page 
width).  To save the edited version as an ASCII file use Ctrl-F8 (use 
a new name).


    Quote and Comma delimited looks like:

         "John","Smith","12 Main St.","Cupertino","CA","95014"
         "Jeannie","Johnson","1234 Main St.","Cupertino","CA","95015"

    Note: There is a carriage return between records.  This is the
easiest to import.


    Comma Delimited:

         John,Smith,12 Main St.,Cupertino,CA,95014
         Jeannie,Johnson,1234 Main St.,Cupertino,CA,95015


    Semicolon Delimited:

         John;Smith;12 Main St.;Cupertino;CA;95014
         Jeannie;Johnson;1234 Main St.;Cupertino;CA;95015


    Carriage Return Delimited:

         John
         Smith
         12 Main St.
         Cupertino
         CA
         95014

         Jeannie
         Johnson
         1234 Main St.
         Cupertino
         CA
         95015

    Note: The extra carriage return between records is the record 
delimiter.






Q & A Application Note         Rev. 6/92           #2405   Page 1 of 2



                         Types of ASCII Files


    Fixed ASCII (SDF):

    John      Smith     12 Main St.    Cupertino      CA   95014
    Jeannie   Johnson   1234 Main St.  Cupertino      CA   95015
    ----------1---------2---------3---------4---------5---------6

    Note: Each field has its own set amount of spaces.  Each record 
ends with a carriage return.  You tell Q&A on the Merge Spec where 
each field starts and its length.  For example, in this file:

    First Name: 1,11    Last Name: 12,11    City:23,14          etc.










































Q & A Application Note         Rev. 6/92           #2405   Page 2 of 2