It will also allow the user to Open A Microsoft© Jet© Database file and explore it's structure provided it is not Password Protected.
Why Was It Written?
This utility was originally written to allow me to import Jonathon's e-Sword Module Database file using the .CSV export method from the Yahoo e-Sword user Groups.
Like all projects it was quickly realized that with a few programming additions the Utility could have a broader range of users and applications.
What Can It Do?
In text Import Mode:
- Import a Delimited Text File delimited with: tabs; commas; semi-colons; colons; and user-defined. Best results are obtained when each column entry is enclosed with double-quotes. The first line is 'assumed' to be a 'Header' giving a Title for each active Column.
- Select the Field Type. (When Exporting to MDB from Excel © all fields are forced to 'Text'. This also forces a maximum Field Width of 255 Characters in a Jet © Database.
- Select the Field Width for text field types. Fields imported with zero Characters default to 255. Fields with some characters are initially set to the width of the maximum characters in that column. Columns with more than 255 characters as a width are set to a 'Memo' field type.
- Rearrange the order of the columns, Add and Delete a column.
- Create a MS Jet© using the structure and data in the columns.
- Specify the Table name to use when creating the Database.
- Open a non-password protected Microsoft© Jet© Database.
- Browse the Table Structure and select an individual Table to Manipulate.
- Browse the Table's Records.
- View and/or Edit Fields in the Record.
- Assign a single Field to be viewed in a Rich Text Box to view and edit formatted Rich text
- Assign any and all fields to Normal text Boxes for Viewing and editing.
- Add or Delete Records.
- Format Information in the Rich Text Box.
- Save an Opened Database to a different filename. While the Newly named databse is automatically opened you must reassigned your fields.
- Export the current Table as a Delimited Text File.
The Main Screen
This is what you see when you first start the program.
The Menu System is Simple and straightforward
- 'Import' allows you to select both the file you would like to Import and The Delimter Character to use.
- 'Open database' allows you to Open a Database file using SMM's Dataview.
A Dbl-Click on the Filename or an [ENTER] will import the file selected.
If you happen to choose the wrong Delimiter you might get something like this. Here the Delimiter is a 'Comma' but an attempt was made to Import 'thinking' the correct Delimiter was a 'Tab'.
Here is a properly Imported File.
- Notice:
- That the Form has been resized to fit the screen because the area needed to display the information is too 'wide' to fit.
- That the Rich Text Box Box is sized to fit the form.
- The Field Types for Character Widths greater than 255 was automatically changed to 'Memo'
- Column Widths have been sized to view the Column Name
- The Columns Menu:
- Move First - Moves the Currently Selected Column to the First Column Position
- Move Last - Moves the Currently Selected Column to the Last Column Position
- Move Right - Moves the Currently Selected Column to the Right 1 Column Position
- Move Left - Moves the Currently Selected Column to the Left 1 Column Position
- Add Column - Adds a Column after the Last Column Position
- Delete Column - Deletes The Currently Selected Column
- Make Wider - Makes the Currently selected Column Wider
- Make Narrower - Makes the Currently selected Column Narrower
The Database Menu allows for
- Changing the Table Name you are going to use in a Database. This is useful if you need a specific Table name for the Created File to work in a given Application.
- Opening the File Menu so you may Create a Database from the Imported Text's data.
Which allows you to select or enter a Filename to save your newly created Database.
The Extension will be forced to .MDB at this time. You can always rename it later.
The Database is not automatically opened. Also, Please note that the delimiter Sub-Menu is non-functional in this useage.
The 'About' Menu selection Displays the License
No fee may be charged for this Utility!
You are free to use this Utility without charge or obligation of any kind…
- Provided you abide by the following:
- No warranty or guarantee is implied or offered concerning your use of this Utility. You shall hold both the Programmer and the Distributor blameless for any misunderstanding or losses you may incur due to the use of this program.
- You may not incorporate this Utility into any Commercial Product without my express written permission. It's not really written to be called from another program.
- You may not reverse engineer this Utility. Why would you want to? I will address 'Bug' reports. And, take recommendations for improvement seriously.
- You may distribute this program provided you distribute it in its entirety and with a reference to my web site: www.houseofmyrrh.org and no payment of any kind is required.
Source code may, or may not, be made available on request after receipt of a signed non-disclosure and Programmers License Agreement.
Encouragement, constructive criticism, and bug reports are always appreciated.
Thank You,
Michael A. Druckenmiller Sr.
P.O. Box 131
Williston, SC 29853
SMM's Dataview
To access SMM's Dataview you will need to select a Database File to open using the [File]-[Open database] menu selection from the Main Window Form.
Please note that the Text Box is for Filename display purposes only.
Here is the initial Dataview Screen. Doesn't look like much does it?
That's because no Table has been selected.
Here is a View after a Table has been selected. Please Note:
- The 'Fields in Selected Table' FlexGrid has been populated displayin the Name of each Field, it's Data type, and It's Size.
- A Label and Textbox pair has been created for each Field in the Table.
- The Source (List) and Destination (FlexGrid) have been set up for Field Assignment.
Source - Destination - Because the number of fields exceeds the number that can be displayed vertically using the Label/Textbox pairs a 'Move Fields Down' button has been made available. A 'Move Fields Up' button will become visible as soon as there are fields above the field of view.
- The 'Auto Update' Checkbox is turned off. This means that you can play with the Data (once assigned to Fields) as much as you desire. But, no changes will be Automatically Committed to the Database. This protects you from making unwanted changes to the Database while only desiring to view the information.
- You must Assign the 'Source' Fields to a Display 'Destination'. All fields must be 'Assigned' before the system will start displaying information. Three Buttons are used to 'Assign' the Fields.
The Hard Way- Click on a Source Field to select it
- Click on a Display Destination to select the destination.
- Click the 'Select' Button to Assign.
- Repeat until all fields have been 'Assigned'.
- Click on the 'Auto Select" Button to allow the system to make a best guess assignment automatically.
- Assign the remaining Fields, if any, using the 'Hard' Method.
- If an incorrect assignment is made select the offending Field in the Destination Flexgrid and click 'De-select'.
- Commit Current Record - Writes the Changes Made to the Current Record into the Database File on the Harddrive.
- Add Record - Adds a Blank Record to the Database.
- Dataview File Menu
- Export Current Table - Allows exporting the Currently Opened Table as a Delimited Text File
- SaveAs - Allows saving the Open database with a different fileame. Note: It's best to change the Filename before you make changes as Database Changes occur when 'Committed'. NOT when the File is saved.
- Close Database Exit Window - You Really should exit this Window using the Menu to prevent a hidden orphaned window.
- RTF Options Menu
- Font Size Style - Allows selection of Fonts, Font Sizes, Font Bold, Etc.
- Extended Font Color (Selected) - Allows using extended Color Selection capabilities for Selected Text.
- Recordset Menu
- Delete Current Record - Use with Caution as deleted records can not be recovered.