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Q: parse a text file into an excel database ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: parse a text file into an excel database
Category: Computers > Programming
Asked by: jbehrens1-ga
List Price: $20.00
Posted: 22 Dec 2005 19:14 PST
Expires: 21 Jan 2006 19:14 PST
Question ID: 609109
I need someone to parse the data in this list to an excel database:

http://www.massbio.org/members/detail.php?mode=multi

Thanks!

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 23 Dec 2005 13:18 PST
Ouch!  This is a tough one.

I got about 90% of the companies in pretty good shape, but there's
still some remaining that just didn't quite parse too neatly.

Take a look, and let me know what you think:


https://s38.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=09KDL98OKBM5U1YAWOVTHYQC4P



And a happy holidays, to boot...


pafalafa-ga

Clarification of Question by jbehrens1-ga on 23 Dec 2005 15:29 PST
This is good enough. thanks! How did you do it?

JB
Answer  
Subject: Re: parse a text file into an excel database
Answered By: pafalafa-ga on 23 Dec 2005 16:00 PST
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Thanks...I'm glad that worked for you.

Make sure to save the file to your local system, as the link I gave is
not permanent.

As for how I did it, that's hard to explain.  I've collected a number
of text handling/management software programs over the years with
various odds n' end capabilities.

I was able to copy the text into a text editor, and use some 'clean
up' functions to remove blank lines.  Then I followed with a number of
search-and-replace operations to put commas in at strategic places in
the text, so I could treat it as comma-delimited file.  Then, I
imported it into Excel, and did some further work with a series of
text-based add-ins from a program called ASAP.

If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't use the comma-delimited step,
and there were too many other commas in the text, and that's what led
to some problems.

Live and learn, eth?

Have a good holiday,

paf

Request for Answer Clarification by jbehrens1-ga on 09 Jan 2006 15:21 PST
Can I contact you about a possible other project I am thinking of
posting? Is this allowed?

Clarification of Answer by pafalafa-ga on 09 Jan 2006 16:18 PST
JB,

Thanks for asking.

The only permissible contact between researchers and clients is right
here in this public forum.

You can post a question (in the usual manner) and direct it to my
attention, if you wish.  Just put "For pafalafa-ga" in the question's
title, and then again, in the text.

I'll be sure to see it, and will let you know if I think I can handle it for you.


Happy new year,

paf
jbehrens1-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
quick, responsive, and helpful. Thanks!

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