The Import Table wizard can be used:

1. To import a file in a foreign format (ASCII or DBF) into ILWIS.

The table will be converted to the ILWIS table format .

For more information, see ILWIS table import below.

 

2. To access or import a single table from a file-based database format (DBF, XLS, MDB).

You can choose:

• to use the table in its original format and obtain a Use As table _u, or
• to convert the table to the ILWIS table format .

For more information, see Import table from Database below.

Page options:

(1) ILWIS table import:

With ILWIS import, the following formats can be imported:

• dBase III/IV files (DBF),
• ILWIS 1.4 tables (ASCII),
• Comma delimited files (ASCII),
• Space delimited files (ASCII), and
• Fixed format or standard format files (SDF, ASCII).

The imported file will always be converted to the ILWIS table format .

The ILWIS Import Table wizard will guide you through the import process:

• the format of the external file may be automatically recognized (DBF, ILWIS 1.4, Comma delimited);
• for ASCII formats, you will get a view inside the file, which may help you to distinguish whether the file is comma delimited, space delimited or in fixed format. It may also help you to determine the number of columns in the file, the kind of values that the file contains per column, etc.;
• you can interactively separate columns, assign new or existing domains to columns, select a key domain for the output table, etc.

When you convert files, it is assumed that you already understand some of the main ILWIS concepts. It is recommended that you have read at least the following topics: Basic concepts : before creating ILWIS maps and tables and Basic concepts : working with domains.

Note: When importing, column names may not contain any of the following characters - + ( ) = /

(2) Table from database (ODBC or OLE DB):

The following database tables can be accessed or imported:

• a file-based database such as a dBase .DBF file, an Excel .XLS file, or an Access .MDB file, for which an ODBC driver has been installed on your system.

The selected table can be used in its original format, you will then obtain a Use As table _u; but you can also convert the table to the ILWIS table format .

General tip: Using the Import Table wizard is only one of the methods of accessing an external database. For other methods, and for more information on databases and database collections , refer to ILWIS objects : tables - databases.

Import Excel .XLS requirements:

• It is expected that the first row of the Excel sheet that you wish to import is a header from which column names can be constructed.
• Furthermore, it is expected that actual data starts in the second row of the Excel sheet.
• Columns in the Excel sheet are converted to ILWIS columns that use the following data types (domains): domain Value or domain String. If conversion to value or string fails, the column will be skipped.

Next pages of the Import Table wizard

(1) ILWIS table import:

• When you selected a dBase DBF file, first the dBase DBF import method page will appear in which you have to choose whether you wish to import the table with ILWIS table import or a Database ODBC driver. In case you select ILWIS table import (else see Database ODBC), you will continue with the Import Table - Select Table Format page where you have to specify the format of the table you wish to import.

 

• The Import Table - Select Table Format page will directly appear when you selected an ASCII table.

On the Select Table Format page, you have to specify the format of the table you wish to import.

 

• Subsequently, in case of a file in ASCII format (ILWIS 1.4, Comma delimited, Space delimited, or Fixed format), the Import Table - View File page will appear. In case of a dBase DBF file, this page will be skipped.

 

• Then, on the Import Table - Edit Column Details page, specify the name and type of domains of each column and optionally, the domain of the table.

 

• Finally, on the last page of the wizard, the Import Table - Specify ILWIS Table Name page, specify the name of the ILWIS table that will be the result of import.

(2) Table from Database (ODBC or OLE DB):

• When you selected a dBase DBF file, first the dBase DBF import method page will appear, in which you have to choose whether you wish to import the table with ILWIS table import or use a Database ODBC driver. In case you select Database ODBC driver (else see ILWIS table import), you will continue with the Table and/or Table domain page, where you can specify a domain for the table that you wish to import.

 

• For a file-based database from which you wish to use or import a table, you will directly go to the Import database - Table and/or Table domain page
.

On the Import database - Table and/or Table domain page, select a table and choose a domain for the table.

For a dBase table, you only have to specify the domain of the table.

 

• Subsequently, on the Import database - SQL query page, specify the query to retrieve records from the database.

The default query will select all records of the table.

 

• Finally, on the last page of the wizard, the Import Table - Specify ILWIS Table Name page, specify the name of the ILWIS table that will be the result of import.

You can choose to use the original data (and obtain a Use As table) or to convert the table to the ILWIS table format.

Tips:

• When you wish to import multiple files, it is advised to type an Import expression on the command line or to write a script with Import expressions. Import expressions to import tables are described in Appendices : ILWIS script language (syntax), section ILWIS Table import.
• To import maps, see:
  • Import Map (ILWIS Import)
  • Import General Raster (ILWIS Import)

See also:

Import Table - Select Table Format

Import Table - DBF import method

Import Database - Table and/or Table domain

ILWIS objects : tables - databases

How to import data