How to Convert Text File to DBF with DBF Manager

How to Convert Text File to DBF with DBF Manager How to Convert Text File to DBF with DBF Manager

If your work revolves around databases, then you probably know that DBF is a database file format that was originally used in dBase (one of the first database management systems), but, nowadays, there are many other database-related applications that can apply DBF files, for instance, FoxPro, xBase, or Microsoft Access.

If you have received a list of contacts as a text file and you want to quickly insert it in your dBase database or simply to add other entries from your TXT files to your database, then converting the documents to DBF seems to be a quick and easy solution.

Now, I will show you how you can import the contents from your text files into a DBF database, using DBF Manager 2.58 (Shareware $34.95). I have selected this application, because it is a powerful tool that, unlike most database management programs, can import text files (most can import Excel and CSV files and export TXT) and it is pretty easy to use.

Tutorial assets

You will need to download the following software to keep up with this tutorial.

Here is the tutorial for importing text files into your DBF database

Step 1

Open your DBF database using DBF Manager.

Step 2

From the "File" menu, click on "Import", select "Text File" (see image) and click "Next".

Import Text File

Step 3

Select the text file you want to import, the character set you want to use, the first and last row as well as the tab and text delimiter.

Text File Settings

Note: You should pay extra attention when you will select the tab delimiter as you will have to provide the same delimiter used in your text file (TAB, comma, space, etc.).

Step 4

After clicking "Next", you will be able to choose the date, time, and numbers options.

Date, Time and Numbers Options

Step 5

Click on "Excecute" to finish the importing task.

Conclusion

After finishing the process (importing text files), all the new values will be automatically added to your database, and, if you have provided the correct parameters mentioned at Step 3 and 4, you will view the new entries in the program's main window. As you can see, importing text files into your DBF database with DBF Manager 2.58 is not that complicated. All you have to do is pay a little attention when providing the values/parameters of your text file. If you want to use other application for this task, then check the "Alternative Downloads" section below.