Format Psion Database, a PC program to support the Psion Series
5. A simple program for anyone who wants to import a number of text files
for review on the Series 5. The program takes a list of text files, and
formats the files into a single file which may be imported into Psion Data.
I wrote the program to fulfil a particular need, and then found myself
using it quite a lot. I have tidied it up and made it available in case
this is useful to anyone else.
The files are formatted into two fields - a "header" field which contains
the filename, and the "Memo" field which contains the text of the file.
A Psion data file is included which will take imports from this program.
Guide to Use
Select the files to be read. Select a directory and input a name for
the output file. Alter the text mark character (this is the character which
Psion Data uses in its import to decide that the field has ended). Any
instance of this chosen character which is in this file will be filtered
from original text - the "~" character is selected by default as an unlikely
character to be used in text files. This may be changed to any other character
you wish (though make sure you can type it from the Psion keyboard).
Press the "Process" button. File names will appear in the Results box.
This may be reviewed upon completion.
Move the completed merge file to your Psion 5. Load up the Data file
for import (the supplied file is designed for this purpose). Select File/More/Import
Text File. Select the name of the file and the appropriate Text Qualifier
in "Options" (this should be the same character as was chosen when using
the PC program). The Psion should then import the files into the new database.
I have successfully used this program to import 200 text files, with
lengths of 1 to 40k per file, and had no problem in using the Data app
to review and read them at leisure. Data is a lovely app!
Limitations/ requirements/ support/other points
The program is written in VB3, so no long filenames are supported. Works
fine in Windows NT/95 otherwise.
When I get hold of a description of the Psion 5 Data format, I may rewrite
this program to output Psion Data files directly. In the meantime, I hope
the program is useful.
Disclaimer (please note)
All the software on these pages is FREE, and is provided with absolutely
no warranty whatsoever. The software has worked for me in practice, but
if it destroys your data/machine/life,then you have no recourse to me. I suggest that you ensure you have
a COMPLETE backup of all your data before using any of these programs (it's
a good idea in any event).
