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Article Goal
Guide users through the process of importing delimited text files into VDM as Database Files, editing existing Database File definitions, and using the imported data like standard tables when building views.
What Are Database Files in VDM?
Database Files in VDM allow you to import external delimited text files, such as CSV or tab-separated files, and treat them as data tables within the VDM environment.
Why Use Database Files?
Using Database Files in VDM enables you to:
- Integrate local or exported flat-file data directly into your reporting workflows
- Use imported text files just like tables from SQL Server, Oracle, or other sources
- Create quick reports from data that doesn't live in a traditional database
- Update an existing Database File definition when fields in the source file change
⚠️ Important:
Database Files are not supported in WebReports because they rely on the local file system, which WebReports cannot access.
Steps for Setting Up a Database File in VDM
Step 1: Add a New Database File
In the Tables/Fields section:
- Right-click Database Files.
- Select Add From Text File > Delimited.
📁 This starts the import wizard for adding your external text file as a usable table.
Step 2: Select Your Text File
Choose the text file you want to import from your local system.
Step 3: Choose File Type
Select the appropriate file type:
- Single — Use this if you're importing one file.
- Multi / Directory — Use these options if you're importing multiple files or a folder.
💡 For most users, Single will be appropriate.
Step 4: Set Fields Enclosed in Quotes
If your file has values enclosed in double quotes, such as "New York", set Fields Enclosed in Quotes to True.
If the file uses plain text values without quotes, leave it set to False.
🔍 This setting helps VDM correctly parse fields containing commas or special characters inside quoted strings.
Example:
"123", "John Doe", "New York, NY"
For this example, Fields Enclosed in Quotes should be set to True.
Step 5: Set the Delimiter
Specify the delimiter that separates values in your file:
- For comma:
, - For tab: enter
tab - For pipe:
|
✅ Correct delimiter selection is important for accurate column detection.
Step 6: Set Headers to True If Present
If your file contains column headers, set Headers to True.
📌 This allows VDM to automatically name columns and assign data types.
Step 7: Name the Table and Set Optional Fields
Enter a table name that will appear in the Tables/Fields panel.
You can also set the following options to True if desired:
- Import Date — Adds the file's import date as a field.
- File Name — Adds the original file name as a field.
💡 These options can help identify when data was imported and which source file was used.
Step 8: Enable Refresh on View Search
Turn on Refresh on View Search if you want the table to automatically update with the most recent file contents whenever a View is run.
🔄 This can be useful for Views using files that are regularly updated.
Step 9: Preview and Modify the Table
Click Preview to review the detected fields before completing the Database File setup.
From the preview, you can:
- Review column names
- Review assigned data types
- Rename columns
- Change data types
- Make other necessary field adjustments
🛠️ Review the field definitions carefully to make sure they match the structure and data contained in the source file.
Step 10: Test the Import
Click Test Import to validate the source file against the Database File configuration.
VDM validates the complete input and identifies problems such as:
- Incorrect field counts
- Data type mismatches
- Invalid field lengths
- Invalid data formats
When an issue is found, the validation information can identify the affected file, row, field, and value, making it easier to locate and correct the problem.
- If the test is successful, click Finish.
- If the test fails, review the validation information, correct the source data or field definition, and test the import again.
✅ Always test the import before completing the Database File setup to help identify configuration or source-data problems.
Editing an Existing Database File
Beginning with VDM 2026.9.9.0, existing Database File definitions can be edited directly in VDM when the structure of the source file changes.
Previously, adding or removing fields could require rebuilding the Database File definition. Existing Database Files can now be updated without recreating the entire definition.
You can:
- Add fields
- Remove fields
- Reposition fields
- Update existing field definitions
Edit the Database File Definition
Open the existing Database File definition and make the required changes to the field list.
When adding or changing fields, make sure the field definitions match the structure of the source file.
⚠️ Rebuild: Clicking Rebuild reloads the field definitions from the source file. Any customized column names or data types will be reset to the values detected from the source file. Review the field definitions after rebuilding and reapply any custom changes as needed.
Suggested caption: Editing fields in an existing Database File definition.
Test the Updated Definition
After making changes, use Test Import to verify that the updated Database File definition matches the source file.
If the test identifies an error, review the reported file, row, field, and value information and correct the definition or source data as needed.
Once the test completes successfully, save the updated Database File definition.
💡 Note: You no longer need to recreate the entire Database File definition just to add, remove, or reposition fields.
Suggested caption: Testing an updated Database File definition.
Using the Database File in a View
Once imported, the file appears under Database Files in the Tables/Fields section.
You can use its fields in a View just like fields from another database table.
⚠️ Note: If MDS is enabled, you must select another database first before you can use Database Files.
Article Summary
Database Files allow delimited text files to be imported into VDM and used like database tables when building Views.
You can configure the source file, delimiter, headers, field definitions, and refresh behavior before testing and completing the import.
Existing Database File definitions can also be edited to add, remove, or reposition fields when the structure of the source file changes. Use Test Import after creating or modifying a Database File to validate the complete input and identify configuration or data issues before using the file in your Views.
Database Files rely on the local file system and are not supported in WebReports.
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