Text Files without consistent width or delimiter

Question

I've inherited some legacy txt files that I'd like to try and read into Alteryx.  The file doesn't have a delimiter between columns, and while there are defined column widths for each field, they're not standardized.

In Microsoft Access text import, there's an advanced setting that lets you define the width of individual columns on a column-by-column basis (e.g., Column 1 is first 5 characters, Column 2 is 6th-7th, etc.).  Is there anything similar in Alteryx?  I'm not seeing any options in Input Data or Text to Column.  I'd also like to avoid using RegEx if possible.

TimN · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Yes.  Fixed Width columns can be set.

Sebastiaandb · Accepted Answer

Hi @jackchoy ,

When you drag your txt file onto the canvas you get the following prompt:

Choose the option "Read it as a fixed width text file".

Then you'll be able to cut the file into multiple fields :-).

Greetings,

Seb