Using the Access Import Wizard for Access 2000 Or 2002

Using the Access Import Wizard for Access 2000 or 2002

1Open the database in which you want to store the imported data.

2Select File/Get External Data/Import from the dropdown menu.

Access File menu drop down box, showing Import option selected

3In the Import dialogue box:

use the Look in list box to locate the required external file
select the required file format from the Files of type list box. The Files of type box lists all import filters that have been installed on your computer. If the filter you require is not displayed, you’ll need to install it from the Microsoft Office CD-ROM
click on the required file and its name is selected.

4Click on Import.

Import dialogue box

5The first dialogue box of the Import Text Wizard will be displayed.

6Select the required file format: either Delimited (the default) or Fixed Width.

7Click on Next.

Import Text Wizard format dialogue box

8If you’ve chosen a delimited file, the next dialogue box will:

prompt you to choose the characters used as the field delimiter and text qualifier
ask if the first row contain the field names
if you’ve chosen a fixed width file, this dialogue box will let you specify the position and width of each field.

9Select the appropriate settings and click Next.

Import Text Wizard delimiter dialogue box

10The next dialogue box prompts you to choose a new or existing table as the import destination. Select the appropriate option.

Note: If you choose to add imported data to an existing table:

each field in the imported data file must have the same data type as the corresponding field in the destination table
each field must be in the same order
the data must not duplicated date in primary key fields
the data must not violate any validation rules.

Detail from the Import Text Wizard table dialogue box

11Click Next.

12The dialogue box below will be displayed if you are adding data to a new table. This box allows you to:

enter field names
change the field data type if necessary (Note that Access will attempt to assign an appropriate data type)
set an index field if required
choose the fields you want to import.

13When you have set these properties, click Next.

Import Text Wizard field options dialogue box

14From this dialogue box you can set the Primary Key within the table.

Import Text Wizard define key dialogue box

Note: if you click the Finish button the import will begin and your import settings will be lost. If you need to save these settings as an Import Specification, click on the Advanced button and enter details as prompted in the Import Specification dialogue box. Remember to save the specification and click OK before proceeding to the final Wizard screen.

15Click Next to display the final Wizard dialogue box.

16Enter a new table name if required and click Finish.

Import Text Wizard final dialogue box

17Access will now import the data. If you have created a new table, you’ll see the table name in the database window:

Database window showing new table

2004