- From the Classic Data File Tools IDE, click
Tools > Convert.
- Type the full path to and filename of the data file you want to convert into the
Filename field within the
Input file group, or click its corresponding
Browse button and use the
Open dialog box to select a file to convert.
Important: If the data file contains a header, or if is has an associated profile, the Data File Converter detects the format and organization of the specified data file. However, if the data file neither contains a header nor has an associated profile, you must supply the information manually. See
To define or change file details for instructions.
- If the character set used in the data file is not ANSI (default), select
EBCDIC from the
Character set drop-down list in the
Input file group.
- To make changes to or provide additional details about the input file, such as the file organization and minimum/maximum record length specifications, click
File Details. Optional. See
To define or change file details for more information.
- If your input file uses record keys, click
View keys to view the keys defined in the file. Optional.
- If you want to convert the character set from ANSI to EBCDIC or EBCDIC to ANSI, check
Convert character set. This changes the value of the
Character set field in the
New file group, and activates the
Records contain non-text data items check box.
- If you record contains non-text (numeric) data items, check
Records contain non-text data items. This activates the
Select layout for conversion button, enabling you to apply a record layout file. For more instructions, see
To apply a record layout to a file conversion.
- In the
Filename field within the
New file group, type an output file name or click the corresponding
Browse button and use the
Open dialog box to select a file.
- From the
Format drop-down list, select a format for the output file.
- From the
Organization drop-down list, select an organization for the output file.
- If your output file organization is indexed, click
Define Keys to define the index specifications. See
Key Information dialog box for more information.
- If you want your output file to contain fixed-length records, specify the record length in the
Maximum length field.
- If you want your output file to contain variable-length records, check
Variable length records; then provide a
Minimum length and a
Maximum length.
- If you want the data records in your output file to be compressed, check
Compress data records.
- To save the settings specified on the Data File Convert dialog box, click
Save profile and specify a file name and location for the profile file. Optional.
- Click
Convert.
- Click
OK on the message saying the data file conversion is complete.
- Click
Cancel.
Note: Alternatively, if you have saved previous specifications as a profile, click
Load profile to load the specifications automatically.