Import 1 digit or blank into numeric or character

[Barbara Taam]

I've created several data bases and imported text files successfully. However, I've encountered some circumstances under which Alpha Five doesn't seem to import a text file, as described below.

I'm using:
Alpha Five Version 5.0
Edition: Full Version
Version: Build: 1491
System Addins: Build: 1048

I ran into 2 problems:

1. If I try to:

* import a file with an empty (no data) field

* into a field of type "numeric,"

the following error message is displayed:

Script: TEMPLATE line:106
a_tbl.append()
field- and expression-types must match

2. If I try to:

* import a file where a field contains data consisting of a single numeric digit, "1"

* into a field of type "character,"

the same error message is displayed. (Note that if the field contains 2 digits, such as "01," or a single character, such as "x," there is no problem.)

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The file I'm trying to import has lots of single-digit data entries, and lots of places where this field is blank, so I haven't been able to import into a character or numeric field. Any advice?

Thanks,
Barbara Taam

[Keith Hubert]

RE: Import 1 digit or blank into numeric or charac

Hi Barbara

You have answered both your problems yourself. Alpha is telling you how to get the feilds to recognise the data that is being imported. So, all you need to do is change the fields to character and do the import. It is not important how the data is because once it is in the Alpha tables you can do what you want with it.

Keith Hubert
London.

[Barbara Taam]

RE: Import 1 digit or blank into numeric or charac

Hi Keith,

Thanks for your quick reply.

I don't think I've answered my own question because:

The fields I'm trying to import contain a single digit, which Alpha doesn't seem to import, either as a numeric type or character type.

(I described the conditions under which it does work, eg: 2 digits, not because this is what I'm trying to do, but because I ran many tests to isolate the conditions that cause the error, in case this is a bug.)

(Also, I can't search/replace my data before importing, to create conditions that will work, because there are no search/replace settings I can use that will replace the intended fields without replacing unintended fields.)

Thanks,
Barbara Taam

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Import 1 digit or blank into numeric or charac

Barbara,

I do not encounter the same difficulties if the source data file is comma quote delimited. An empty field (whether blank space, or null) is imported into the numeric field as a zero. A one char but 'numeric' field value is imported into a char field just fine.

I suggest you double check the data source carefully.

I also suggest that the receiving fields be set wider than one digit. Numerics typically work best with a width of 2 or more. Otherwise Alpha can't handle a negative single digit numeric value.

If you still have trouble, why not post an empty receiving table here, along with a sample data source, and your defined import op.

-- tom

[CALocklin]

RE: Import 1 digit or blank into numeric or charac

Well, Tom has already said basically the same thing I was about to say but I also added a sample import to my "test" application so I'll attach it for your review.

PLEASE NOTE: I added this to my test app so there are other forms and scripts that are not related to this issue. Just look at and run the Import operations and compare them with the Import_test.txt and Import_test2.txt files.

[Barbara Taam]

RE: Import 1 digit or blank into numeric or charac

Hi Cal, Tom, Keith,

After much trial and error, I realized that I needed to specify each field type and size in the import dialog. I had previously assumed that Alpha 5 used the type and size of each field in the existing table (into which I'm importing).

Since I did not specify these, Alpha 5 was setting some fields to be numeric that I assumed were character types. Moreover, I saved and reused the unintended settings, and multiplied my errors. I've straightened it out now.

Thanks,
Barbara