.dat files into Access 2

[dontubo]

Hi.

I'm a relatively new Access user....

I have created a database that is based around data extracts in ".dat" file format. Previously I have imported the .dat files into the database by opening then in Notepad and saving them as a .txt file.

However, the file I need to import today is "too large for Notepad" (75MB). Since Access doesn't seem to recognise my .dat file does anyone know how I can perform the import?

Many thanks.

Toby

 

[jgoodman00]

how about moving all of the dat files into a directory, then running the dos ren command to rename them all

e.g.

ren *.dat *.txt


This should rename them all & you should then be able to import them into access

James Goodman MCSE, MCDBA

http://www.angelfire.com/sports/f1pictures

 

[dontubo]

Worked.

Simple solutions are the best...

Why does Access not recognise dat files?

Thanks.

Toby

 

[jgoodman00]

No idea. I guess it just isnt designed to do so...

James Goodman MCSE, MCDBA

http://www.angelfire.com/sports/f1pictures

 

[jwhjr]

If you don't want to go through the process of renaming the files each time you can also edit the registry to recognize .dat files. What you will need to do in this case is edit the registry key that enables the .dat extension. The registry path is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE|Microsoft\Jet\4.0\Engines\Text

Within this you will need to add the dat extension to the disabled extensions key. The Microsoft bulletin that explains the key to edit is here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=268264

Just throwing another option out there.

JR

 

[dontubo]

Thanks - I'll give it a try.