Conversion from a TXT file to CDS/Isis

The process of converting a TXT file into a CDS/Isis database has a TXT file as the input, where the fields to transfer can be delimited in two ways:

  • With tags

  • With tabs (for example, obtained from a spread sheet where the results have been saved in TXT format with tab delimiters)

TXT File with tags:

In this case, each element is identified with a tag and each tag is assigned to a field in the database.

These tags always have to start with $$ and end with : to ensure that they cannot be mixed with the content to be converted. Additionally, all the records have to be separated with a character string which cannot be present in the content of any of the fields. It is recommended that ## is used as a record separator.

TXT File with Tabs:

In this case each line in the TXT file corresponds to a record, and inside each record the fields are separated with tabs. In the Tag column of the conversion table, place the number of the cell (column) that the field to convert occupies in the TXT.

Conversion process:

The conversion process has three steps:

  1. Selection/Definition of the conversion table

  2. Validation of the entry file with the conversion table

  3. Conversion and loading in the database

To perform a conversion follow these steps:

  1. Select the option Load TXT File from the administration menu

  2. Select, edit or create the conversion table

  3. When selecting the conversion table a window will be displayed with a text box where you have to write the name of the TXT file that you want to convert. Other options are also presented:

    • See defined tags: Presents the tags existing in the selected conversion table

    • Validate tags: Examines the TXT file contrasting it with the conversion table, and presents a report with the tags found and those which were not

    • Process: Executes the conversion and loads the database

Conversion and load in the database

This step performs the validation of the TXT file again contrasting it with the conversion table, and presents a new report with any errors found. At the end of the process you will find a button to create the new records in the database. The information identified as Not localized Tags won't be transferred to the database.