\<bookmark_value\>databases; text formats\</bookmark_value\>\<bookmark_value\>text formats; databases\</bookmark_value\>\<bookmark_value\>importing; tables in text format\</bookmark_value\>\<bookmark_value\>exporting; spreadsheets to text format\</bookmark_value\>

Importing and Exporting Data in Text Format

If you want to exchange data with a database that does not have an ODBC link and does not allow dBase import and export, you can use a common text format.

Importing Data into LibreOffice

To exchange data in a text format use the LibreOffice Calc import/export filter.

1. Export the desired data from the source database in a text format. The CSV text format is recommended. This format separates data fields by using delimiters such as commas or semi-colons, and separates records by inserting line breaks.

2. Choose File - Open and click the file to import.

3. Select "Text CSV" from the \<emph\>File type\</emph\> combo box. Click \<emph\>Open\</emph\>.

4. The Text Import dialog appears. Decide which data to include from the text document.

Once the data is in a LibreOffice Calc spreadsheet, you can edit it as needed. Save the data as a LibreOffice data source:

• Save the current LibreOffice Calc spreadsheet in dBase format in the folder of a dBase database. To do this, choose \<emph\>File - Save As\</emph\>, then select the \<emph\>File type\</emph\> "dBase" and the folder of the dBase database.

Exporting in CSV Text Format

You can export the current LibreOffice spreadsheet in a text format which can be read by many other applications.

1. Choose \<emph\>File - Save as\</emph\>.

2. In \<emph\>File type\</emph\> select the filter "Text CSV". Enter a file name and click \<emph\>Save\</emph\>.

3. This opens the Export of text files dialog, in which you can select the character set, field delimiter and text delimiter. Click OK. A warning informs you that only the active sheet was saved.