Want to update data from TXT (“;” semicolon delimited text) file to PostgreSQL ?
Using File To DB, a native GUI tool for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, you can update data from TXT (“;” semicolon delimited text) file to PostgreSQL easily and fast.
- Can run in GUI mode, Step by Step, just a few mouse clicks.
- Can run in Command line, for Scheduled Tasks and Streams.
- Convert locally and securely, avoid uploading large or private TXT file(s) to online services.
Update data from TXT (“;” semicolon delimited text) file to PostgreSQL
Login to PostgreSQL -> Choose TXT file -> Set PostgreSQL table -> Update TXT to PostgreSQL
Choose PostgreSQL and logon.

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

Select the “TXT” file type.

then show the wizard.
1. Open a source TXT (“;” semicolon delimited text) file.

2. Select a PostgreSQL table and config fields.
Set “Load Type” to “Update”, choice “By Key”.

3. Preview data.

4. Update TXT data to PostgreSQL .

View updateed data

Update TXT data to PostgreSQL in command line
Save session, and then create .bat file for Windows command line, or .sh file for Linux / macOS.
Set scheduled tasks for updating TXT data to PostgreSQL
You can schedule and automate this “TXT to PostgreSQL” conversion task by:
1) Save session and create .bat (Windows) or .sh (Linux/macOS) file.
FAQ
More about FileToDB – SEMICOLON to PostgreSQL converter
TXT → PostgreSQL reference
Type mapping
| Value kind | in TXT | in PostgreSQL |
|---|---|---|
| Int | 1234, or right-aligned in a fixed-width column | integer |
| Bigint | 9007199254740993 | bigint |
| Decimal | 1234.56 | numeric(p,s) |
| Float | 1.234e+10 | double precision |
| Text | written as-is; padding depends on the chosen layout | varchar(n) |
| Long text | written as-is | text |
| Date | whatever the writer chose | date |
| Datetime | whatever the writer chose | timestamp |
| Binary | not representable | bytea |
| Boolean | Y / N, or 1 / 0, or TRUE / FALSE | boolean |
| JSON | written as-is | jsonb |
Dialect differences
TXT is a file format and PostgreSQL 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.
| Property | in TXT | in PostgreSQL |
|---|---|---|
| port | — | 5432 |
| identifiers | None by convention | "double quotes" |
| row limit | — | LIMIT n |
| dates | Whatever the writer produced; no convention is guaranteed | timestamp, timestamptz, date, time |
| long text | — | TEXT |
| binary | Not supported | BYTEA |
| separator | Whatever was chosen - often fixed column widths | — |
| encoding | No declaration - UTF-8 works only with a BOM | — |
| typing | None - every field is text | — |
| shape | Free form; a parser has to be told the layout | Tables of rows and columns |
| ceiling | No formal limit | — |
Command line
| Side | Command |
|---|---|
| PostgreSQL | pg_dump or COPY ... TO |
| PostgreSQL (load) | COPY ... FROM |
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