DE-A  Export Data

Purpose of Program

Use this program to export all or selective records and fields from data files to a disk file in an ASCII format.  The disk file can then be imported into other programs such as spreadsheets.

General Program Operation

Enter the file name of the file you wish to export from or select one from a pop-up window by pressing the F2 key.

The program automatically assigns an output filename which consists of the file's name followed by an extension of ".TXT."  This will be the name of the disk file that can be imported into other programs.  You can override this name and give it one of your own, if you wish.

If you have previously exported from this file to this output file name and saved the format, you will be asked Do you want to use previously saved format?  If yes, you can export the data immediately without going through the selection process or you can edit the previous selections (for example, to change a date range filter).

Next specify the output file type, which is displayed in a pop-up window.  Your choices are as follows.

Fixed Length: Each field will be output in exact field lengths with no space in between.

Delimited: Each field will be separated by a comma and each alphanumeric field will be surrounded by quote “” symbols.

Textfile: Each field will be output in exact field length with one space between each field.

Common: Each field will be variable length, separated by a user defined character.  You will be prompted for a character.  The default character is a brace (|).

Special: Each field will be on a separate line, resulting in a vertical format.  Each record will be separated by a user defined character.  You will be prompted for a character.  The default character is an asterisk (*).

Next you will be asked Output all or selected fields?  If you specify all, you will advance to the next field.  If you specify selected, all the fields in the file will display in a pop-up window.  One-by-one highlight the fields you want exported and press <Enter>.  When you are done selecting fields, press <Esc>.

All the fields you selected are displayed in the main area of the screen.  You may now press <Enter> through any of the fields and indicate whether at each field whether it is to be filtered or not.  If you enter a Y for filter, you will be asked for a from/thru range or records.

At any point you may press <Esc> to move on to the next field.  At the Sort by Index Field, press F2 for a pop-up window which lists the indexed fields within this field by which you can sort.  Highlight the sort field you want and press <Enter>.

You will be asked if you wish to proceed with the export.  If you indicate yes, you are asked if you wish to save the format for future use.  Save the format if the selections you just made will be used again in the future.

You will see the records being processed one-by-one on the screen. When finished you will be asked if you wish to view your exported data.  If yes, you will see the output records displayed on the screen.