Hi Alan,
>From my observations:
MapInfo appears to use the row below the column headings to automatically
determine the data format. To guarantee the data format, include a dummy
row with data of the correct type under each column heading. We actually
use "TEXT" in every column and then change the format. I know it's a pain,
but all this work is done in MapBasic.
Thanks
Mark
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, December 17, 1999 3:02 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: MI Problem importing a file
I have been trying to import a .txt (although the same problem arises with
the data put into Excel) file of point data into MI, with some odd
results.
The file consists of a mixture of fields, among which are:
GeoKey 1234567
PlaceName Bournemouth
LatDec 50.1872221
LongDec -1.8458333
Population 155488
Height 30
There are also other character based and numeric fields. The field names
appear as the top row.
I open the table, and can see the data clearly in the correct column.
When I come to Create Points, though, the only fields that appear in the
drop down box are the GeoKey and the Height. This is consistent and has
been confirmed by someone else.
If I look at the table structure, then the GeoKey has been imported as
Integer, and the Height as Float. The other fields have come across as
Character [which is presumably why they do not get recognised by Create
Points]
If I then make a copy of table, and alter the structure so that the
numeric lat/long fields are changed from Character to Float, then I can
Create Points and plot the data.
Three questions, then,
1. Why do only some (2 out of 6) of the numeric fields come across as
numeric?
2. Why should the 2 that are recognised as numeric assigned different data
types?
3. How can I ensure that the lat/long especially are recognised as
numeric, as it is a real time-waster having to make copies & change the
structure?
TIA
Best wishes
Alan Pritchard
The GLOBAL GAZETTEER: the world on file
http://www.allm-geodata.com
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