vladman992000 wrote:

> No, its not currently fixed width. I don't have any control over the
> source data being uploaded (as I would lose all the performance gain
> in trying to pad the data anyway). What is the impact of using a
> non-fixed width file here?
>
> The file, for example, looks like this:
>
> jsmith@... <mailto:jsmith%40acme.com>
> benedict@... <mailto:benedict%40henderson.com>
> bill@... <mailto:bill%40mail.com>

I don't think external tables can work with non fixed width files at
all, but I might be wrong.

Is it a Windows environment?

I'm sure such a file could be padded in "no-time" with a small util. It
could be executed automatically when a new file is uploaded. I could
write you such an util, except the "auto run" feature, which would take
me too long to figure out.

The util could pad the files to e.g. 255 chars. All ANSI (8 bit/char)?

Kjell
--
--------------------------------------
Kjell Rilbe
DataDIA AB
E-post: kjell@...
Telefon: 08-761 06 55
Mobil: 0733-44 24 64