?Possible to edit Access Import Specs in Access2010?

[dale.m...@gmail.com]

I'm trying to work out table design based on a vendor-furnished CSV file that comes with 208 columns, only 140 of which I need to import, but the values change as the analysis changes. I can't find a way to open, edit and then save-as a new spec existing import specs-- it seems that Microsoft only allows the editing of the NAME or DESCRIPTION of the spec. Is there a method of editing the specification itself?

[David Hare-Scott]

It would be simpler to import the lot each time and then use just the data
you need.

David

[Sky]

On 8/2/2013 2:04 PM, dale.m...@gmail.com wrote:
> I'm trying to work out table design based on a vendor-furnished CSV file that comes with 208 columns, only 140 of which I need to import, but the values change as the analysis changes. I can't find a way to open, edit and then save-as a new spec existing import specs-- it seems that Microsoft only allows the editing of the NAME or DESCRIPTION of the spec. Is there a method of editing the specification itself?
>

Try looking at the MSysIMEXColumns and MSysIMEXSpecs tables.

[Patrick Finucane]

On Friday, August 2, 2013 1:04:45 PM UTC-5, dale.m...@gmail.com wrote:
> I'm trying to work out table design based on a vendor-furnished CSV file that comes with 208 columns, only 140 of which I need to import, but the values change as the analysis changes. I can't find a way to open, edit and then save-as a new spec existing import specs-- it seems that Microsoft only allows the editing of the NAME or DESCRIPTION of the spec. Is there a method of editing the specification itself?

I think you could do so in versions prior to A2007. here's a tip I got from http://stackoverflow.com/questions/143420/how-can-i-modify-a-saved-microsoft-access-2007-or-2010-import-specification

When I want to examine or change an import / export specification I query the tables in MS Access where the specification is defined.

SELECT MSysIMEXSpecs.SpecName, MSysIMexColumns.* FROM MSysIMEXSpecs LEFT JOIN MSysIMEXColumns ON MSysIMEXSpecs.SpecID = MSysIMEXColumns.SpecID WHERE SpecName = 'MySpecName' ORDER BY MSysIMEXSpecs.SpecID, MSysIMEXColumns.Start;

You can also use an UPDATE or INSERT statement to alter existing columns or insert and append new columns to an existing specification. You can create entirely new specifications using this methodology

[dale.m...@gmail.com]

Patrick rote:

> When I want to examine or change an import / export specification I query the
> tables in MS Access where the specification is defined.

...

Thanks. I'm going to try that.

Dale

[PandaData]

Just open the IMEXColumns table and edit away. Back up the database first and you can do no harm. It's just data.