Saving Files in a .dat Format

Saving Files in a .dat Format

Overview

Most of file imports and exports handled in Compusense are done using a .csv file format. However, some file imports require .dat file format in order to preserve special characters that the .csv file format is not able to preserve.

For example, if you need to import panelists for your panel in China, you will need to save the file in a Unicode format as a .dat file. In this workflow we will show you how to do that.


File preparation and saving in .csv file format is handled in a different workflow.



Saving .dat Files

  1. Open an Excel file that you wish to save as a .dat file.  

  2. Select  File > Save As  and select a folder where you wish to save the file.  

  3. From the  Save as type  list, select the Unicode Text (.txt)  option and update the file name, if necessary. 

  4. Click  Save  and close the file.

  5. Go to the location where you saved the file.  Do not open it.
    You should be able to see the file name and its .txt extension. For example, filename.txt.

    If you do not see the .txt extension:
    1. Go to your Windows File explorer and select View > Options > Change folder and search options.


    2. Select the View tab and uncheck the Hide extensions for known file types checkbox.


    3. Click OK to save the changes. Look at your file now; it should have the .txt extension visible after the name.


  6. Click its name and then click the name again to rename the file. Or simply right-click and select Rename. Change the extension from .txt into .dat and press Enter on your keyboard.

  7. You will be prompted with a warning. Click Yes to confirm that you indeed want to change the file extension. Your file is now in a .dat file format and ready to be imported into Compusense.


Here is a quick animation of the process.