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Converting fixed length file to excel/csv


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ravikumar15

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Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Posts: 68

PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 7:27 pm
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Hello,

I am facing a problem with the fixed length file. Earlier our system was having mainframe now its moved out. But the files coming from vendor is still in the same format, with the numeric fields also in signed numeric format. Is there any tool/process to convert the file to excel format or csv with the numeric fields in display format.

I am trying with vba macro but facing difficult in converting the numeric fields.

It would be very helpful if some one can suggest any alternative tool/process which would do the job.

Thanks in advance
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sergeyken

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Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Posts: 2141
Location: USA

PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 8:19 pm
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Since "mainframe now its moved out" then you are not able to use any mainframe tool to perform your conversion.

I recommend you to visit a Windows forum.
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ravikumar15

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Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Posts: 68

PostPosted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 11:28 pm
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I know mainframe tool cannot be used. So I am using VBA. But I am seeking suggestion if there is any other better way.

I saw somewhere that Rexx can be used in Windows as well. If it is, can any suggest, how to run it in windows?
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Robert Sample

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Joined: 06 Jun 2008
Posts: 8700
Location: Dubuque, Iowa, USA

PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 12:15 am
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If any of the fields are binary or packed decimal, conversion of them can be challenging. Plus, as was mentioned, mainframes use EBCDIC and PCs use ASCII, so you are guaranteed to need to do that conversion.
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enrico-sorichetti

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Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 10888
Location: italy

PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 1:00 am
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Quote:
I saw somewhere that Rexx can be used in Windows as well. If it is, can any suggest, how to run it in windows?


see here
www.rexxla.org/

and here
sourceforge.net/projects/oorexx

remember to inquire with the powers of your organization
about installing open source software on your workstation/PC
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Joerg.Findeisen

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Joined: 15 Aug 2015
Posts: 1335
Location: Bamberg, Germany

PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 7:53 am
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This forum should be for Mainframe topics, and not for issues with Mainframe datasets on non-Mainframe platforms.
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Garry Carroll

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Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 1205
Location: Dublin, Ireland

PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 1:27 pm
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Quote:
But the files coming from vendor is still in the same format, with the numeric fields also in signed numeric format.


Have you considered asking the vendor to convert the dataset to the .csv file format you require?

Garry.
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sergeyken

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Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Posts: 2141
Location: USA

PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 7:58 pm
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ravikumar15 wrote:
I know mainframe tool cannot be used. So I am using VBA. But I am seeking suggestion if there is any other better way.

I saw somewhere that Rexx can be used in Windows as well. If it is, can any suggest, how to run it in windows?

Before using ANY tool, at all, one MUST understand well all the details needed to resolve the problem. Starting from: (as I already mentioned, but all has been erased by moderators):
- what is the encoding of the data in the input dataset?
- what is the content of each input field in its hexadecimal presentation?
- what should be the algorithm of conversion of each mainframe-based field to the corresponding Windows-based field?
- etc, many other details.

Without understanding those issues in depth, none of available tools can be useful. In any platform, and any environment.

Erasing my comments from the topic would not help to fix this problem, too.
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