Dat File

K

Ken Snell \(MVP\)

For security reasons, newer versions of ACCESS will not import (via
TransferText) text files with nonstandard files extensions -- the only file
extensions that can be used for text files for ACCESS to import them are
".txt", ".csv", ".tab", and ".asc". To handle a ".dat" file extension, see
these Knowledge Base articles:

ACC2000: Importing or Linking a Text File Fails for a File That Does Not
Have a Valid File Name Extension
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?id=304206

ACC2000: "Can't Update. Database or Object Is Read-only" Error Message When
You Import or Export Files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];245407

ACC2000: How to Import a Text File That Has an Extension That Access Does
Not Recognize
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=306144

(The renaming of the file is the preferable method.)
 
D

Douglas J. Steele

While Ken's comments are absolutely correct, I just thought that it should
be pointed out that .dat is a pretty generic extension. Unless you know that
the content of the file is "well behaved" text, it may not be possible to
import the file even with the techniques Ken's listed.

--
Doug Steele, Microsoft Access MVP

(no private e-mails, please)


Ken Snell (MVP) said:
For security reasons, newer versions of ACCESS will not import (via
TransferText) text files with nonstandard files extensions -- the only
file extensions that can be used for text files for ACCESS to import them
are ".txt", ".csv", ".tab", and ".asc". To handle a ".dat" file
extension, see these Knowledge Base articles:

ACC2000: Importing or Linking a Text File Fails for a File That Does Not
Have a Valid File Name Extension
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?id=304206

ACC2000: "Can't Update. Database or Object Is Read-only" Error Message
When
You Import or Export Files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];245407

ACC2000: How to Import a Text File That Has an Extension That Access Does
Not Recognize
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=306144

(The renaming of the file is the preferable method.)

--

Ken Snell
<MS ACCESS MVP>

Doug said:
How do I import a .dat file? Can I use TransferText or TransferDatabase
to
do this?
 

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