Import .dat file into SN

[prithvi232]

SN supported data formats for import are csv, excel and xml. However, I have a use case where I have to import data from .dat files with specific delimiters (obtained from an external system) into SN. Has anyone come across such a use case before? If so, please let me know what your approach was.

[Chuck Tomasi]

After reviewing this and doing some testing, files with fixed length fields do not appear to be supported. You will need to run it through a pre-processing step first. Excel imports fixed width field files if I recall. If you import it there, then save it as XLS or XLSX, you can easily import it in to ServiceNow.

[prithvi232]

You are right. Excel imports fixed width field files and I've done that. The idea here is to schedule the imports into SN at regular intervals and a manual conversion to XLS or XLSX every time doesn't seem to be an efficient way. So, the way I see it, automating the .dat to .XLS conversion process is the pre-processing step, as per your suggestion.

Sorry for consuming a lot of your time Chuck , and thanks for your valuable inputs.

[Chuck Tomasi]

You are welcome. Sorry I don't have a simple, clean import feature for you.

I invite you to open an enhancement request! Our product managers DO listen.

Enhancement requests: Tell us how you would improve the ServiceNow product

[prithvi232]

Hi Marty,

I've attached the sample file and it can be read by using any text editor. Could you please check that and let me know about your idea on this !

[Chuck Tomasi]

I'm not sure why you marked Marty's question as a correct answer.

If it's a text file, rename it to CSV and use an import set. There, you can specify the delimiter in the data source record.

http://wiki.servicenow.com/index.php?title=Importing_Data_Using_Import_Sets