Hi, I often need to import text data which includes carraige returns. I use the CSV or TAB systems and of course each time I get in troubles.

How can I convert the CR in such a way that they will stay in the required fields?

I use Text-Edit and converting CR to Line FEED didn't help especially because I mix Japanese and Latin ecodings therefore I convert everything to UTF-8.

I suggestions highly welcome

Thanks

What application exports the files you get?

Since the CR denotes the end of record when importing, a CR in an individual field must be substituted with another character. This is usually done by the exporting software. If it's not done, it'll be hassle editing the export file...

Assuming you have a file with the CR substituted (say with ~~~), make a script with the Replace Contents to replace any field's ~~~ with a CR.

I use Tex-Edit or Apple Text Edit. I prefer the previous as it allows creating Applescripts very well, while the Apple Editor doesn't even allow to see the invisible chars.

However to convert to Unicode is always a problem so I usually do my preparation work with Tex-Edit but I need to paste the files in the Apple Editor as Filemaker doens't understand Unicode properly so I have to paste in an empty document formatted as RTF to than make it plain txt and export as UTF-8.

Unicode in UTF-16 from Apple's text editor become garbage in Filemaker.

In fact Text edit shows the Carriage returns as "c" tried to change them to n but it didn't help at all

Edited September 18, 200520 yr by Guest

What application generates (exports) the files you need to edit?