> For example my database requires data to be in the form of: > Given_Names | Family_Name | Address_1| Address_2 | City | State | Zip > > and I receive data in the format of > Names | Address | City_&_State_Zip
I usually don't recommend using spreadsheets for databases, but your problem seems to be simple enough to tolerate it. I would recommend your getting a handle on awk or perl if you're going to do a lot of this, though. Here's how you can do it using a spreadsheet: Import your records into a spreadsheet (Format: Names Address City&ST_Zip. Name the first three columns just like that, i.e., A1=Names; A2=Address; etc. (Insert a row ahead of all the data if you must.) Next, continue naming columns, but this time in your own format: A4= Given_Names A5= Family_Name A6= Address_1, etc... In cell B4, enter the text formula which will extract the first name of the Names entry. For example, say Cell B1 contains "Jim Plante"; the formula to break out the "Given Name" would be LEFT(A2;SEARCH(" ";A2;1)). In other words, I'm using the space between the two names as a delimeter, and I'm simply putting the first name into A4. Catching the last name would work similarly. You'll run into problems with people with three names (first, middle, last) and with Jr., Sr., III, etc.) but you'll just have to figure out how to separate those. (N.B.: You'd have the same problem using awk, perl, or regular expressions, too.) Now, after you've got all the formulae written for row 2 (your headings are in row 1), then select row 2, go to the end of your data, shift click in the lower right corner of the data set, and fill down. All your data should be broken out correctly. Scan it to be sure, and make corrections as you find problems. Once you've finished cleaning the data, and you're satisfied that you've got a good data set, delete the first three columns and save the sheet. Then save it again as a DBF. Now you can use it as a data source, and use Open Office as a front end to enter or correct data. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]