Vermont Secretary of State - Help

Using Microsoft Access 2003 to Import a Text Delimited File

In this example we will use the Corporations Database Download That has been saved as a self extracting Comma Delimited Text File.

The file can be downloaded at http://www.sec.state.vt.us/corps/corp.htm .

1. Download the corpscsv.exe file. Take care to note where you save it.

NOTE: Make sure you save the downloaded file in a location where you have the rights to run programs so that the Self-Extracting .EXE will be able to run.

2. Navigate to the location where you saved corpscsv.exe and open the file. It is a self-extracting file and will expand a CSV file called Corpscsv.csv.

3. Open Microsoft Access 2003.

4. Select "File", "New" and a pane will open in Access giving you a variety of objects you can select.

5. From the list of objects presented, select "Blank Database". Again take note of where you create the database.

6. Select "File", "Get External Data", Import. An Open File Dialog Window will appear.

7. Using the "Look In" drop down menu, navigate to where you stored the corpscsv.csv file.
8. On the bottom of the Import Window you will see a "Files of Type" drop down menu, Select "Text Files" that contains the csv file extension.
9. Select the Corpscsv.svc file now visible in the window and click "Import". The following window will appear...

10. Ensure the "Delimited - Characters such as comma or tab separate each field" is selected.
11. The next window ask you to select the character used to separate fields. If the Comma is not selected, select it now.

NOTE: If you desire, you can CHECK the "First Row Contains Field Names" or you can choose to enter your own field names later.

12. The next screen ask you where to import the data. Unless you have previously developed a table for this import select "In A New Table".

13. The next screen allows you to name fields and do other table maintenance before importing the data. No action on this screen is necessary and you can just click through.

14. The last screen before you actually import the data gives you the opportunity to index the data. You will know if you want to do this. If you are not sure, select "No Primary Key".

15. The last screen allows you to name the table that will be created, it defaults to "corpscsv". Click Finish and the data will be imported.