Load Fixed Width File into Tableau Prep: A Detailed Guide for You
Are you looking to import a fixed width file into Tableau Prep? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step by step, ensuring that you can efficiently load your data into Tableau Prep for further analysis and visualization.
Understanding Fixed Width Files
Before diving into the process, it’s important to understand what a fixed width file is. A fixed width file is a type of data file where each field is allocated a specific number of characters. This means that the data is structured in a way that is predictable and easy to parse.
For example, let’s say you have a fixed width file with the following structure:
| Field | Width |
|---|---|
| First Name | 20 |
| Last Name | 20 |
| Age | 3 |
| Gender | 1 |
In this example, the “First Name” field is allocated 20 characters, the “Last Name” field is also allocated 20 characters, the “Age” field is allocated 3 characters, and the “Gender” field is allocated 1 character.
Importing a Fixed Width File into Tableau Prep
Now that you understand what a fixed width file is, let’s move on to the process of importing one into Tableau Prep.
Step 1: Open Tableau Prep
First, open Tableau Prep by clicking on the Tableau Prep icon in your desktop application or by searching for it in your computer’s search bar.
Step 2: Create a New Workflow
Once Tableau Prep is open, click on “Create” and select “New Workflow.” Give your workflow a name and click “OK” to create it.
Step 3: Add a Data Source
In the workflow, click on “Add Data” and select “File.” Then, choose “Fixed Width File” from the list of file types.
Step 4: Configure the Data Source
After selecting the fixed width file, you will be prompted to configure the data source. Here’s what you need to do:
- Enter the file path of your fixed width file.
- Select the character encoding of your file (e.g., UTF-8, ASCII, etc.).
- Enter the delimiter (if any) used in your file.
- Enter the field widths for each field in your file.
For the field widths, you can either manually enter the values or use the “Auto-detect” feature to let Tableau Prep automatically determine the field widths.
Step 5: Load the Data
Once you have configured the data source, click “Load” to import the data into Tableau Prep.
Step 6: Clean and Transform the Data
After the data has been loaded, you can use the various transformation tools in Tableau Prep to clean and transform your data as needed.
Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips to help you successfully load a fixed width file into Tableau Prep:
- Make sure to double-check the field widths when configuring the data source. Incorrect field widths can lead to data corruption.
- Use the “Preview” feature to ensure that the data is being loaded correctly.
- Consider using the “Remove Duplicates” and “Remove Blanks” tools to clean your data.
- Explore the various transformation tools available in Tableau Prep to further manipulate and analyze your data.
By following these steps and tips, you should be able to successfully load a fixed width file into Tableau Prep and start analyzing your data.
