Hello to all.
I am trying to create a somewhat basic management system for an estimating
program. The program exports data in a funky format. I can get the data into
access but not until I have performed a bunch of manual operations. I would
like for this to be completed via a macro or some other easily used
operation for the end user. I have limited access and programming skills. I
am very computer literate, just a newbie when it comes to this database
stuff. The flow chart would look something like this - user exports data
(consists of 13 different files) to a folder - user opens database program
and clicks import data - data would populate fields in tables - user could
then select a range of options once the data is in the tables - from
creating invoices to running reports on data. I think I can create the forms
and the queries, it is the import of the data that has me stumped. I want
this to be as simple as possible. Very easy or automated for the end user if
possible. I can forward some test data if that would help.

Thanks in advance

Tony:

There are three ways of importing data.

One is to use the Wizard.
The wizard can do delimited files e.g. Ira,Solomon,61,M
and by using input specifications it can do fixed width files e.g.
Ira Solomon 61 M

You can also link to some external files, in particular Excel.

But if the file's structure is such that a rational table can't be
created then you either have to do the import in code, or import it
into a table and then manipulate it there.

I had to import a spreadsheet which looked like this:

TT12458X 3/4" screw, Titanium alloy, Torx
100 3/17/2003
500 4/12/2003

The lines with dates are orders for the item.
Even if you could import this it is a worthless table.

You need 2 tables
One with part numbers and descriptions.
And
One with part numbers and orders.

To get that you would have to write code to import it, or possibly
import to a temp table and use queries to deal with the real tables.

I wish I had a magic solution that would work in all cases but I
don't.
If you want to send me a sample of the tables I'll tell you what I
think.

Good Luck
Ira Solomon

On Wed, 12 Nov 2003 13:55:12 GMT, "Tony Painter"
<tpainter (AT) columbus (DOT) rr.com> wrote: