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Print from ASCII Fixed-Width Files

The following steps describe how to print from an external list of addresses, when you have chosen the Text, Fixed-Width file type. A fixed-width file is a plain ASCII text file whose field columns and data are at specific fixed positions on each row. For more information, see About Printing from ASCII Fixed-Width Files.

Steps

Gather the information about the fixed-width text file.
- Note: For details and helpful hints about working with fixed-width files, see About Printing from ASCII Fixed-Width Files.
From the Design tab, select File > Print from > External file.
In the Select Address List File dialog box, in the Files of Type field, select Text, Fixed Width.
In the Look in field, navigate to and select your fixed-width ASCII text file, and click the Open button.

The ASCII Fixed Width File Options dialog box appears.

In the Options area, specify:
- Skip First Record: Select this check box if the first row contains field names instead of the address data that you are printing.
- Records End with CR/LF: By default, this check box is selected. Clear this check box if each line (row) does not end with a carriage return and a line feed.
- Save Dash in ZIP Code: By default, this check box is selected. Clear this check box if you do not want to save the dash in a nine-digit ZIP Code.
For each DAZzle field that appears in the Field Mapping area, enter the starting position and field width that corresponds to equivalent field in your ASCII fixed-width file.

For more details, see Field Mapping. As you map the fields, the Sample Address area displays how the record address appears.
Click the Next button.
In the Print List of Addresses dialog box, complete the fields on the Postage, the Page Setup, and the List Options tabs.