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Creating a schema.ini file for text files

To use a fixed-width text file or a comma-delimited text file that contains mixed data types in the same column as a data source, you need to create a schema.ini file to identify the contents of the file.

The schema file includes entries that specify characteristics of the text file including the filename, file format, field names, widths, and types, character set, and data type conversions. You can use any text editor to create the schema file, which must be stored in the same directory as the text file.

The following example shows the information that must be included in the schema file for a fixed-width text file.

[filename.txt]

Format=FixedLength

ColNameHeader=False

Col1=ColName1 TEXT Width 15

Col2=ColName2 TEXT Width 15

Col3=ColName3 TEXT Width 40

Col4=ColName4 TEXT Width 20

CharacterSet=ANSI

The following example shows the information that must be included in the schema file for a comma-delimited text file that contains mixed data types.

[filename.txt]

Format=CSVDelimited

ColNameHeader=False

Col1=ColName1 TEXT

Col2=ColName2 TEXT

CharacterSet=ANSI

Item Description
Filename Text file name; must be enclosed in brackets
Format Text file format: FixedLength or CSVDelimited
ColNameHeader Indicates if the first record in the text file contains column headings (true) or not (false)
Col Column by number; required for fixed-width files but optional for comma-delimited files
ColName Column name; used to identify the column in QA Wizard Pro
DataType Type of data in the column:
  • TEXT—Text values; unspecified length returns 255 bit width
  • FLOAT—Signed, approximate, numeric values; maximum width includes the sign and decimal point
  • INTEGER—Non-decimal numeric values (whole numbers); valid width values are 32767 to -32766
  • LONGCHAR—Text values; unspecified length returns 65500 KB width
  • DATETIME—String that specifies date/time format
Width Column width
CharacterSet Character set: ANSI or OEM