Importing Fractions in a String?

[Keith Hubert]

Hi Guys,

I have a problem importing fractions from a spreadsheet that are in a string.

Here is the original: 10⅝" x 3⅝" (270 x 92) (Aperture 6�" x 1�") (Bolt Ctr 8�")
Here is how it comes into the table: 10?" x 3?" (270 x 92) (Aperture 6�" x 1�") (Bolt Ctr 8�").
From what I can see from looking at a number of records, it seems that if the fraction contains an 8th then it gets converted to a ?.

Suggestions as to how to overcome this would be appreciated.

The sooner us Brits drop these fractions the better.

Another example to show that it is on all fractions with an 8th, not just 5/8:

[SIZE=3]11⅛" x 2⅜"  (282 x 60) 
11?" x 2?"  (282 x 60) [/SIZE]

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

Keith,

The fractions in your "string" probably are being stored in the spreadsheet using an ascii character value that DBF can't interpret. It's as though the string contains a foreign character, if you see what I mean. i.e. One high order ascii character for the fraction. Alpha is expecting separate ascii values for the "5" the "/" and the "8". You might try importing the string to a blob field because the source "string" is likely a mix of character values and "foreign" characters.

If my guess is correct, don't ask me how you're going to parse this. I fear it's going to be messy.

[G Gabriel]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

I am sure, as Tom said, it has to do with the ASCI charaters.
Without delving too much in the issue and doing any creative maneuvers in the import and without overthinking or trying to be too bright, too smart, too clever, too creative specially I just woke up to this, my impulsive reaction to this is why don't you just "rig it", i.e.import it with the question mark, then replace that with an 1/8 when you get it in alpha? Or replace it with .125

P.S.
Surprisingly, there is no ASCI equivalent for 1/8 that I am aware of. There is one for 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 but no other fractions!

[G Gabriel]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

I say there is no ASCI for 1/8 but then how does it show on the spreadsheet?! There has to be one.

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

I think they're being inserted into the sheet from a typographic symbols code page. Check Excel help topics on special characters and special symbols.

[G Gabriel]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

I understand that, but if it show on a screen or prints on paper, there has to be an ASCI equivalent. I understand ASCI is adding more and more characters and symbols from time to time.

[aschone]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

There isn't an ASCII equivalent it is Unicode 'Vulgar Fraction One Eighth' (Unicode code point U+215B)

[Keith Hubert]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for Unicode code point U+215B, how do I find all the ? and replace it with the Unicode code point U+215B? The other problem is that there are a number of different 8th fractions.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

There's this search engine with the odd name of google............

[aschone]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

I'm an working on a way to translate it but I do not think that it can be done with Alpha5 built in functions.

1/8 - U+215B
3/8 - U+215C
5/8 - U+215D
7/8 - U+215E

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

Keith,

I think you're asking the wrong question.

Unless I'm missing something, you can't store unicode values in an Alpha character field.

[Keith Hubert]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

Stan, what is that Gooooogl thing. Never heard of it.

Bet it's not as smart as Alpha. Can it tell me how to replace the ?

Thanks Andrew that is very useful. I know I can use CHR(n) to ascii values, do you know if there is an Alpha function to recognise Unicode?

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

if there is an Alpha function to recognise Unicode?

No.

On the Excel side, if you do a find and replace on ⅛ with .125, it works. One can't search for U+215B, U+215C, U+215D, or U+215E.

[Keith Hubert]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

Hi Stan,

Thanks for suggestion.

The 8th is not a calculation value. It is part of a description to show the size of a Letter box plate that some of us strange Brits have in our front doors. If I could get away with using the .125 then I would.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Importing Fractions in a String?

If you search (in Excel) for ⅛ and replace with 1/8, space before the 1/8 the first translates to 11 1/8". Is that acceptable?