Command Line to Convert Fixed Width Text File To a CSV, TSV (or any character delimited) File (Examples)

If you have trouble running these examples see Using the Command Line and Helpful Hints For Creating a Command Line.

NOTE: An example batch file, TXTtoCSV.bat, has been installed for quick and easy testing. Find it at Start\All Programs\Convert XLS\Example Batch Files. This will work without modification provided you installed in the default folder. Email us at support@softinterface.com if you have any questions or need additional examples. We will get you up and running fast!

The first example shows how to convert from a fixed width text file to a character delimited CSV file. We also show how you can specify a range to convert a portion of the input text file.

Converting from a fixed width text file to anything can only be done with the 'Convert XLS' conversion method (/M2).

All the examples below use an 8 bit ANSI/ASCII text file for the input file. To convert Unicode text files, swap out /F21 with /F42 in the examples.

Each switch shown in blue is described in detail below the examples given. It is highly recommended you review each switches description before implementing the example, thereby giving you the full power of 'Convert XLS'.

Example 1: Convert a Fixed Width Text File To CSV

First specify your fixed width text profile (column widths) using the Using the Fixed Width Text Profile Editor and name your profile MyColWidths. To convert a fixed width text file (c:\in\input.txt) to a comma delimited (ASCII value of 44) CSV file c:\out\out.csv using the MyColWidths profile the following syntax would be used:

ConvertXLS.EXE /S"C:\in\input.TXT" /T "C:\out\out.csv" /C6 /F21 /M2 /N"^^44^2^MyColWidths" /V

To convert to a tab delimited (ASCII value of 9) change the 44 to a 9 in these examples. In fact you can use any character you want to delimit the output CSV file.

Next we show how to convert a whole folder (and sub-folders /R) of text files (C:\in\*.txt) to CSV files located in the same folder. The following syntax would be used for such a case:

ConvertXLS.EXE /S"C:\in\*.TXT" /T "C:\in\*.CSV" /C6 /F21 /M2 /N"^^44^2^MyColWidths" /R /V

The /G switch can be used to tell 'Convert XLS' to place each output file in the same folder as each input file. Therefore the command line above is equivalent to the command line below:

ConvertXLS.EXE /S"C:\in\*.TXT" /G /C6 /F21 /M2 /N"^^44^2^MyColWidths" /R /V

You may want to convert a whole folder and its sub-folders and place the output into a separate folder/drive. In which case use this syntax:

ConvertXLS.EXE /S"C:\in\*.TXT" /T "C:\Out\*.CSV" /C6 /F21 /M2 /N"^^44^2^MyColWidths" /R /V

Building on the last example, say you want to specify a range, say A1:B10 within a text file to convert. No problem, modify the /N switch as shown below:

ConvertXLS.EXE /S"C:\in\*.txt" /T "C:\Out\*.csv" /C6 /F21 /M2 /N"^A1:B10^44^2^MyColWidths" /R /V

Specifying ranges can be very powerful.

• The /S and /T switches above specify Source (input) and Target (output) path respectively and are both required when converting a single file. It is always a good idea to use double quotes around the path especially if there are space characters within the path.
• The /C6 switch specifies that the target (output) file to be CSV file whereas the /F21 switch specifies the input file is a fixed width text file. See Excel Conversion File Type Constants for all possible values for /C and /F.
• The /M2 switch tells it to use the 'Convert XLS' conversion method which is exceptionally fast and allows for the specification of each columns width. /M1 switch is used to specify the 'MS Excel' conversion method which is a bit slower and requires MS Excel. You MUST use /M2 in these examples.
• The /R switch tells it to search the input folder and its sub-folders for files to convert.
• /G switch can be used to tell 'Convert XLS' to place each output file in the same folder as each input file.
• /N"{Sheet^Range^DelimChar^FixedWidth^Profile}" Is used when converting to/from an Excel, CSV or fixed width text file. It specifies which Sheets to convert, what Range to convert and what delimitation/separation character to use, and the method to import export to a fixed width text file. The syntax for this parameter is critical, the items are separated by a caret character "^". If you do not include Sheet, Range or DelimChar by leaving them blank they will default to all sheets, all used ranges and the comma delimitation character. Be certain to include the double quotation character around this parameter.

Sheet: Not useful in these examples. Use "*" or "" for all sheets. You can use names of sheets, or the numeric index. If using numeric indices, you can specify ranges of sheets (i.e. "1,4,10-20" and "4-10,9" etc.).

Range: You could optionally specify a range; say if you only wanted to convert a portion of the input file. Use the same syntax as an Excel range (e.g. A1:B10, B:B). Once converted to an XLS file, you could then use special process 101 to move the data to any cell range.

DelimChar: Not useful in these examples. It is for specifying the ASCII value of the delimitation character used in a CSV file. 44 for comma, 124 for Bar "|", 9 for the tab etc.

FixedWidth: 'Convert XLS' Conversion Method only (/M2). Here you can specify how to import/export a fixed width text file. The following numeric values are valid:

0 = Auto size column widths to fit all data (Default)

1 = Use same widths as specified in the Excel file

2 = Use widths specified by the Profile. Widths can be specified in the user interfaces Fixed Width Text Profile Editor.

Profile = If you are specifying a fixed width text profile to use do it with this parameter. Use the Fixed Width Text Profile Editor to generate a profile. The full path to the txt file could be used. As an example if you want to specify to convert sheets called 'Apples' and 'Oranges', and use the range "A2:B20" and a fixed width text file profile named MyColWidths you would do so like this:

/N"Apples,Oranges^A2:B20^^2^MyColWidths"

• The /V (for Verbose) switch is used to give instant feedback by having the program report the status of the conversion with a message box. You can remove this once you have perfected your command line specification. You can also (or instead of /V) create a Log file that will contain the results of the conversion by using the /L switch.

Note: It is highly encouraged that you use the Verbose (/V) switch initially to see what the status of your conversion is and to help you perfect your command line. When in verbose mode the program will tell you what went wrong or right with your command line using message boxes.