Re: Question

In article <Dpwqyo.K2A@cix.compulink.co.uk>, Malcolm Weallans <onlinedbc@cix.compulink.co.uk> wrote: >> 1. Is it possible to import Informix databases to a spreadsheet >> package like Excel or Lotus 1-2-3. If so, how? > >I regularly transfer information form INFORMIX databases to a variety pf >spreadsheets. My preferred technique is to use the Wingz spreadsheet and >embedded SQL statements in HyperScript. However, if that isn't an option >set DBDELIMITER "," and issue an UNLOAD TO filename SELECT statement. >This produces a comma delimited file which can be imported into most >self-respecting spreadsheets. Not exactly. It's not in the traditional CSV format. The key difference is that embedded commas in character strings are handled differently: in CSV, the entire field value is enclosed in quotes; in Informix's UNLOAD, the embedded comma will be quoted by preceding it with a backslash, and no fields are wrapped in quotes. -- (c) 1996 Alan Denney aland@informix.com "I don't think necessity is the mother of invention -- invention... arises directly from idleness, possibly from laziness. To save oneself trouble." -- Agatha Christie