The General Text Loader add-on allows you to read ASCII text data files in a variety of formats. You can specify variable and dataset title information or indicate specific places to read them from in your data file. Instruction settings for reading a type of file can be saved and restored so they do not have to be entered again each time a new file of the same type is loaded.
The following options are available:
• Filename - The name of the file to be loaded. This is automatically filled in with the name of the file selected in the Load Data dialog, but may be changed using the Browse buton.
• Titles - Launches the Dataset Title dialog, which allows you to specify dataset title properties.
• Variables - Launches the Variable Import Instructions dialog which allows you to specify dataset variable properties.
• Data - Launches the General Text Loader: Data dialog which allows you to specify dataset field properties.
• General Filters - Launches the General Text Loader: Filters dialog which allows you to specify general filters when reading your file.
• Configuration File List - This list shows available configuration files. Configuration files can be edited using a text editor, although this is not usually necessary and is not recommended. The format of these files is listed on the Configuration page.
• Load - Loads a single configuration file from any location.
• Save - Saves a single configuration file to any location.
• Rename - Renames a configuration file.
• Delete - Deletes a configuration file.
• New - Creates a new, untitled configuration file.
• Data Preview
• View Raw Data - This displays the data exactly how it looks in the file without any processing.
• View Processed Data - This displays the processed and filtered data that will be loaded.
• View Options - Launches the General Text Loader: View Options dialog.