Importing Text, Documents, and Data

askSam lets you easily import existing information into a searchable database. askSam includes import filters for texts, word processing documents, email, and data. A complete list of import filters can be found later in this document.

To Import Information:

1. Open an existing askSam data file (or create a new file).

2. Choose FILE - IMPORT.

     The IMPORT dialog box will appear.

3. Select the File Type option and define the format of your information.

4. Type in the name of the file you wish to Import (or select it from the list of file names).

5. Set the Import Options you require. See below for details.

6. Choose IMPORT.

     A Message Box will appear showing the status of your Import.

     When your Import is complete, choose CLOSE.

Importing a Single File as Multiple Documents

At times it may be useful to import a single text file or word processing document and divide the information into separate documents in your askSam database. For example, importing a 300 page Word document would create a huge Web page. It makes sense to divide the Word document into different sections.

The DOCUMENT DELIMITER option in the Import dialog lets you define how documents are divided as they are imported. The options for Document Delimiter are:

Ÿ NO DELIMITER - The entire file you import is stored in askSam as a single Document. If you import multiple files, each of these is stored as a separate askSam Document in your database.

Ÿ BLANK LINE - Each time askSam encounters a blank line, a new askSam Document is created for the next block of imported information. This option turns each paragraph of a file into a separate Document in your askSam database.  (Provided each paragraph in the Imported file is separated by a Blank Line.)

Ÿ PAGE BREAK - Divides the file you import into askSam Documents wherever hard page breaks are encountered. Hard page breaks are set using the word processor's page break command. In .TXT files the ASCII 12 character is understood as a page break.

Ÿ LINES - Lets you specify a number of lines as a delimiter. askSam creates a new Document each time the specified number of lines is imported.

Ÿ STRING - Allows you to enter a string of characters that askSam will use to separate imported information into multiple Documents. The character string can contain 256 characters. Pressing ENTER inserts a CR/LF (carriage return / line feed) into the string. The "Remove Delimiter String" option lets you remove the Delimiter String from the imported information. It's often useful to go through a long document and insert a string at points where you would like the document to be divided.

If you have a long document with no delimiters, it's often quick and easy to page through the document inserting a delimiter (for example@@@), and then import using the STRING delimiter when importing.

Import Formats

askSam imports the following File Types:

     Ÿ Text (*.txt) - ASCII text files.

     Ÿ askSam 4 (*.ask) - Imports the contents of other askSam 4 databases. This format retains document boundaries between askSam Documents as well as the formatting.

     Ÿ askSam DOS (*.txt) - Format for exchanging data between the DOS and Windows versions of askSam. This format retains document boundaries between askSam Documents.

     Ÿ Corel WordPerfect (*.wpd) - WordPerfect files with formatting (to use this import type,      WordPerfect 2000 must be installed on your computer).

     Ÿ Eudora (*.mbx) - Email messages from Eudora mailbox files.

     Ÿ HTML (*.htm, *.html) - HTML Documents from the World Wide Web.

     Ÿ Microsoft Access  Driver (*.mdb) - Microsoft Access database files. Imports multiple tables as well as memo fields in these databases. In order for this import type to be available in askSam, this driver must be installed in your operating system.

     Ÿ Microsoft dBASE Driver (*.dbf) - This format allows you to import structured information from dBASE databases. It also imports memo fields associated with these databases. In order for this import type to be available in askSam, this driver must be installed in your operating system.

     Ÿ Microsoft Excel Driver (*.xls) - This format allows you to import structured information from Microsoft Excel files.  In order for this import type to be available in askSam, this driver must be installed in your operating system.

     Ÿ Microsoft FoxPro Driver (*.dbf) - This format allows you to import structured information from Microsoft FoxPro databases. It also imports memo fields associated with these databases. In order for this import type to be available in askSam, this driver must be installed in your operating system.

     Ÿ Microsoft Paradox Driver (*.db) - This format allows you to import structured information from Paradox databases. It also imports memo fields associated with these databases. In order for this import type to be available in askSam, this driver must be installed in your operating system.

     Ÿ Microsoft Word (*.doc) - Microsoft Word 95, 97, and 2000 files with formatting (to use this import type, Word 2000 must be installed on your computer).

     Ÿ Outlook Folder - Microsoft Outlook email folders (to use this import type, Outlook must be installed on your computer).

     Ÿ RTF Files (*.rtf) - Rich Text Format files used to exchange formatted information (including graphics).

     Ÿ Text Delimited (*.csv, *.dat, *.prn, *.txt) - Use this format to import delimited data from spreadsheets and other databases. This import type handles comma delimited files (CSV) , tab delimited files, fixed position data, and more.

Return to Table of Contents