How to Import a CSV File to Access

1. How to Import a CSV File to Access Done by: Lamees khalil

2. The comma separated value (CSV) Is used because of its versatility CSV files are formatted like spreadsheets but saved as text files. This means a CSV file is accessible by a variety of software including spreadsheet, word processing and database programs. CSV files are plain text files and do not support formatting such as bold or italics. Because of this, CSV files are smaller in size, easily emailed or uploaded to websites. Microsoft Access creates tables based on imported CSV files.

3. Instructions • Step 1: Open the database (or create a new one) in which you want to import the delimited file. • Step 2: Select the External Data tab on the Access Ribbon. Click on Text File in the Import group. • Step 3: When the Get External Data window appears, click on the Browse button to locate the delimited file that you wish to import. Select the option to Import the source data into a new table in the current database. • Click OK to continue.

4. Step 4: Next, the Import Text Wizard will appear on your screen. It should recognize that your data is in the delimited format, but make sure that the radio button next to Delimited is selected just in case. • Click Next to continue. • Step 5: In the next screen, you’ll be asked to specify the Delimiter (the character used to separate the fields in each row). Access will recognize common delimiters such as commas and semi-colons. Select the radio button next to the delimiter used in your data. If you are using some special character that is not listed, select Other and enter that character in the space provided. • If the first row of your text file contains the field names for subsequent records, • check the appropriate box. Click Next to continue. • Step 6: Now, click on the first column of the table containing the text data you are importing. If you don’t want to import this column, put a check in the appropriate box. If you do want to include this column in your new table, choose a Field Name and Data Type for the column. At this point, you can also specify whether or not you want this field to be Indexed. • Repeat this step for each column in your source date. When done, click Next to continue.

5. Step 7: In the next screen, you will be asked if you want to assign a primary key. Unless you have specific reasons for not wanting to use a primary key or for wanting to use an existing field as one, choose the first option to Let Access add primary key. • Click Next. • Step 8: Choose a name for your new table and enter it into the box under Import to Table.

6. Click Finish and the new table will be created. Before returning to Access, you will be asked if you want to Save import steps. Check this option if you want Access to remember the choices you made when using the Import Data Wizard. • Click Close and the new table will be added to the database.