Withdata Software

4 easy steps to import TXT data to DBF

Want to import data from TXT file to DBF?

Using Withdata software FileToDB, a TXT to DBF converter, you can import data from TXT file to DBF (dBase, FoxBase, FoxPro) in 4 simple steps.

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Import data from TXT file to DBF (dBase, FoxBase, FoxPro) in 4 steps

Choose TXT file -> Set DBF table -> Preview data and config “Convert Rows” -> Import TXT to DBF

Choose DBF and logon.

Click “Wizard – 1 File To 1 Table” at task dialog.

Select the “TXT” file type.

then show the wizard.

Step #1. Choose a TXT file.

Step #2. Choose a DBF table and config fields.

Step #3. Preview data and config “Convert Rows”.

Step #4. Import TXT to DBF.

Import TXT to DBF in command line

Save “TXT to DBF” session, then you can:

Set scheduled tasks for importing TXT to DBF

You can schedule and automate this converting task by:

1) Save session and create .bat (Windows) or .sh (Linux/macOS) file.

2) Set scheduled task.


More about FileToDB – the TXT to DBF (dBase, FoxBase, FoxPro) importer

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TXT → DBF reference

Type mapping

Value kindin TXTin DBF
Int1234, or right-aligned in a fixed-width columnNumeric(10,0)
Bigint9007199254740993Numeric(19,0)
Decimal1234.56Numeric(p,s)
Float1.234e+10Float
Textwritten as-is; padding depends on the chosen layoutCharacter(n)
Long textwritten as-isMemo
Datewhatever the writer choseDate
Datetimewhatever the writer chose(none)
Binarynot representable(none)
BooleanY / N, or 1 / 0, or TRUE / FALSELogical
JSONwritten as-is(none)

Dialect differences

TXT is a file format and DBF is a database server, so the target has to be told the types the file never carried - the rows below are where the two sides diverge.

Propertyin TXTin DBF
port—(file-based)
identifiersNone by convention—
row limit—(driver dependent)
datesWhatever the writer produced; no convention is guaranteedDate (D)
long text—Memo (M)
binaryNot supported—
separatorWhatever was chosen - often fixed column widths—
encodingNo declaration - UTF-8 works only with a BOM—
typingNone - every field is text—
shapeFree form; a parser has to be told the layoutTables of rows and columns
ceilingNo formal limit—

No counterpart

  • TXT values of kind Date and time have nowhere to go in DBF.
  • TXT values of kind Binary have nowhere to go in DBF.
  • TXT values of kind JSON have nowhere to go in DBF.

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