Use my Access importation specs in Excel?

[Phil]

Hi.

I have a file importation spec that I use to import files into Access. I'd like to use the same spec to import a text file into Excel. Can I? How?

Thanks,
-Phil

[squareone]

Import it into access, copy the entire table and paste it into excel. QED

[Phil]

Originally Posted by squareone

Import it into access, copy the entire table and paste it into excel. QED

I'm trying to save a little time and memory here by not using both programs; just excel alone.

[Bama Gambler]

i researched this awhile back and came up with nothing.

[Griffin]

Originally Posted by Phil

I have a file importation spec that I use to import files into Access. I'd like to use the same spec to import a text file into Excel. Can I? How?

Do you mean by pointing to the spec from Excel? I don't know. But you could copy and paste the spec into Excel and use that as input for a macro.

[DudeMan]

What exactly is the spec you are using? What mechanisms does it use? Also, are you trying to put it into a new excel workbook or an existing workbook?

[PAC]

Excel pivot's support ODBC...import into access and link via ODBC-pivotable?

[Random Poster]

Originally Posted by PAC

Excel pivot's support ODBC...import into access and link via ODBC-pivotable?

What he said. Use a pivot table if you are just interested in a summary, a query table if you want the actual data. You might be able to save time/space by making the Access table linked as well.

If this is something that is used frequently then you could set a data source in your ODBC Data Source Administrator. By doing this, you could easily access the data from any application that supports ODBC.


-RP

[GatesIsAntichrist]

One thing you can do is read the import specs table in Access.

SELECT Attributes, DataType, FieldName, IndexType, SkipColumn, SpecID, Start, Width
FROM MSysIMEXColumns
ORDER BY Start;

Rotsa ruck modifying it(the table), though - whether in the "advanced" area or the import wizard, or directly yourself. The M$ Deproductivity Dept. recognizes how valuable that would be and accordingly makes it nearly impossible to achieve. How many times have you had to insert a field into the middle, but were forced to reenter the entire spec?!

There are some tricks to modifiying it, though hokey, and lengthy to explain. I'll explain if someone has heavy need. Meanwhile, if one of you has found an easy way to modify that [system] table, I'd like to hear it.

[Phil]

Wow, so suppose I have 4 or 5 different "specs" defined in Access. Are all of those specs stored in that same MSysIMEXColumns table?

Thanks very much for the idea. I will read about this hidden table on Google.