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You can use the Database Setup wizard to convert data in an external text file or in embedded sample data to a database table. As with XML, JSON, and SAP IDoc files, the text file or embedded sample data that you provide in the wizard is considered to be a sample file that is replaced with a different file during automated printing.

When you embed sample data or connect to a text file that you want to use as a database for your document, BarTender typically analyzes the data, determines which type of format it uses, and then automatically configures the options in the Database Setup wizard to match the detected format. These settings determine the database fields that are available to use as data sources for your document.

This topic describes the options that the wizard offers for each format type so that you can manually configure the settings as needed.

Supported text file format types include delimited text, fixed-width text, and name/value pairs.

In This Section

• Using Delimited Text Files

  Learn about the various delimitation types and how they determine how the data in your text file is separated into fields.

• Using Fixed-Width Text Files

  Learn the differences between fixed-width and delineated fixed-width text files and how to configure field separators and filtering options.

• Using Name/Value Pairs Text Files

  Learn about name/value pairs files and how to configure pair, field, and row separators and filtering options.

• Filtering Options for Text File Databases

  Use the settings on the Line Filtering page in the Database Setup wizard to specify which lines in the text file contain valid data, and use the settings on the Data Filtering page to refine the way that data is extracted from each line in the text file.