Freefield Data (DATA LIST command)

  • In freefield data, column location is irrelevant since values are not in fixed column positions. Instead, values are simply separated from each other by blanks, commas, or a specified delimiter. Any number of consecutive blanks are interpreted as one delimiter unless a blank space is explicitly specified as the value delimiter. A value cannot be split across records.
  • If there are not enough values to complete the last case, a warning is issued and the incomplete case is dropped.
  • The specified delimiter can only be used within data values if the value is enclosed in quotes.
  • To include a single quote (apostrophe) in a string value, enclose the value in double quotes. To include double quotes in a string value, enclose the value in single quotes. See the topic String Values in Command Specifications for more information.
  • See String Formats (DATA LIST command) for information on width specifications for string variables in UTF-8 data files.