ASCII .DAT, .TXT, .CSV Data Files

ASCII files are generic format files that can be read or produced by most applications. There are three common ASCII data formats: .DAT, .CSV, and .TXT. ASCII files are generic format files read or produced by most applications. These files can also be imported into most applications, including word processors, spreadsheets, and ASCII editors.

 

Worksheet Formatting

ASCII files do not contain any worksheet formatting information such as row height, column width, or cell formatting. When ASCII files are loaded into a table, the default column formatting parameters are applied to the data. This does not result in any change to data, but might result in rounding of values in the data display. There is no limitation on the number of rows or columns in an ASCII format. ASCII formats save and load slowly because there is a conversion from binary numbers to character representation.

 

Format

There are some distinctions in formatting of ASCII files. Here are some brief notes that outline the usefulness of the ASCII file features.

Comma Separated Variables

Comma separated variable .CSV files are comma delimited with double-quotes around text strings (non-numeric or mixed alpha numeric).

 

When the computer's locale setting has the Decimal separator as comma, .CSV files are imported and exported with commas as the decimal separators and semi-colons as data delimiters. When the Options dialog User Interface page Decimal separator is manually set to comma, .CSV files import and export with commas as decimal separators and semi-colons as data delimiters.

 

ASCII Text

ASCII text files .TXT are normally tab delimited ASCII text files with no quotes around the text strings. After selecting .TXT as the format, the Data Export Options dialog is displayed.

 

Golden Software DAT Files

ASCII .DAT files are ASCII files with no set format. Any delimiter or text qualifier can be set. When a file is saved in the .DAT format, the Data Export Options dialog is displayed.

 

Data Export Options Dialog

The Data Export Options dialog is displayed when saving a .TXT file or .DAT file.

Choose one Delimiter and a Text Qualifier for .TXT

files in the Data Export Options dialog.

 

 

 

Import Options Dialog

Data Import Options Dialog

 

Export Options Dialog

Data Export Options Dialog

 

 

See Also

File Format Chart

Excel Files

LAS Files

Table Views