Arrange the data by year and format.

[pesteness]

Sigh! I am not sure why you are "fighting" me on this (after all, you asked for the help). The items I asked you about were not covered in your sample data in the Actual File... that is why I asked you to show me what they should look like (remember, I am looking at the "structure" of those models and how you would actually handle them). I think you may be thinking this should be easier to write code for then it actually will be... while I think the code won't be too long, how you handle the 4 models I asked you about is critical to me in deciding on how to write that code.

no no. i'm not fighting with you why do i do that i'm the one asking for favor, i'm sorry i just dont really understand what you want.

[Rick Rothstein]

no no. i'm not fighting with you why do i do that i'm the one asking for favor, i'm sorry i just dont really understand what you want.

Make believe your MAIN FILE had only this in it...

Mercedes model - 300CE Coupe E Class 124.052 104.992 from 1993-1993
Mercedes model - 300E 3.2 E Class 124.032 104.992 from 1993-1993
Mercedes model - 190E 2.3 201.024 102.985 from 1984-1986
Mercedes model - 300CD Turbo 123.153 617.952 from 1982-1983

What would the ACTUAL FILE for them look like?

[pesteness]

Make believe your MAIN FILE had only this in it...

Mercedes model - 300CE Coupe E Class 124.052 104.992 from 1993-1993
Mercedes model - 300E 3.2 E Class 124.032 104.992 from 1993-1993
Mercedes model - 190E 2.3 201.024 102.985 from 1984-1986
Mercedes model - 300CD Turbo 123.153 617.952 from 1982-1983

What would the ACTUAL FILE for them look like?

I see, got it.

example this, Mercedes model - 190E 2.3 201.024 102.985 from 1984-1986

this should be look like:

Make=Mercedes Model|Model=190E|Year=1984|Notes=2.3 201.024 102.98
Make=Mercedes Model|Model=190E|Year=1985|Notes=2.3 201.024 102.98
Make=Mercedes Model|Model=190E|Year=1986|Notes=2.3 201.024 102.98

the 2.3 comes with the notes

Thank you.

[Rick Rothstein]

I see, got it.

example this, Mercedes model - 190E 2.3 201.024 102.985 from 1984-1986

this should be look like:

Make=Mercedes Model|Model=190E|Year=1984|Notes=2.3 201.024 102.98
Make=Mercedes Model|Model=190E|Year=1985|Notes=2.3 201.024 102.98
Make=Mercedes Model|Model=190E|Year=1986|Notes=2.3 201.024 102.98

the 2.3 comes with the notes

Thank you.

Okay, now what would the other three look like in the ACTUAL FILE (I do have a reason for asking about them also)?

[pesteness]

Okay, now what would the other three look like in the ACTUAL FILE (I do have a reason for asking about them also)?

yes, sure.

Make=Mercedes Model|Model=300CE Coupe E Class|Year=1993|Notes=124.052 104.992

Make=Mercedes Model|Model=300E E Class|Year=1993|Notes=124.032 104.992

Make=Mercedes Model|Model=300CD Turbo|Year=1982|Notes= 123.153 617.952
Make=Mercedes Model|Model=300CD Turbo|Year=1983|Notes= 123.153 617.952

just please disregard (3.2) the liters, i already know now what's your point.

Thanks,

[Rick Rothstein]

just please disregard (3.2) the liters, i already know now what's your point.

Actually, my point is that I cannot disregard the 3.2 because I won't be specifically looking for it. There is no way I can write a program that looks for specific things because there are probably too many of them for existing models and who knows what there will be for future models. The best I can do, in the absence of proper delimiters is to find the most common "shape" to your data (that is, the juxtaposition of numbers and letters) and try to break the text apart based on that. This is why I asked the question I did... because I do not know your product line at all (things about it that you take for granted are completely unknown to me). Okay, I think you have given me enough to work with, now let me digest it and then see if I can come up with a strategy to handle... that may take awhile, so please be patient with me.

[pesteness]

sure no problem, thanks for the help. god bless.