This step of creating a rule set helps you determine how you want to parse the data in the ASCII file, by column or by a delimiting character. You can also define the measurement units to use.
The Delimiter information provided in this step determines the columns for each of the parsed lines. Use the following options to parse your data.
By column - Use this option for ASCII files that use fixed lengths for fields. This allows you to separate each field based on the length of the field. This may require a little trial and error to define the correct lengths for each field.
Add - Specify the Beginning and Ending characters of the field and click Add. The next column number will be assigned with a the Beginning and Ending values. Continue this process of adding columns until all the needed data is included in the appropriate columns.
Remove - Select the column you need to remove and click Remove. The column is removed from the list.
Change - Select the column you need to change, alter the Beginning and Ending values for the column and click Change. The column is updated with the new information.
By character - Use this option for ASCII files where fields are separated by tabs, spaces, commas or other characters. Select the separating character, tab or space.
Specific character - Select this option and specify the one or more Specific characters that separate the fields in your ASCII file. Type the desired character and click Add to add it to the Character List. Select a character from the Character List and click Remove to remove a character.
Tab- Select this option and click Add if the fields of your ASCII file are separated by tabs. Tab is added to the character list.
Space(s) - Select this option and click Add if the fields of your ASCII file are separated by one or more spaces. Space is added to the character list.
The Units area specifies the measurement units to use for the imported values:
MM - Millimeter
CM - Centimeter
DM - Decimeter
Inch - Inch
Preview and Refresh - See the "Rule Set Wizard - Previewing the ASCII File" topic.
Back - Returns to Step 1.
Next - Continue with Step 3.
Cancel - Returns to the Importing dialog box.