PROBLEM

ArcInfo interchange files ( .e00 ) do not import

Last Published: April 26, 2020

Description

Some interchange files may not import properly. This article recommends procedures to help ensure interchange files import successfully.

Cause

Improper handling of the files.

Solution or Workaround

  • Exporting files: Use compression NONE in PC ARC/INFO or Workstation ArcInfo when creating the interchange files.
  • Transferring files from Windows to a UNIX:
    IBM: doswrite
    HP: dos2ux
    SGI: tounix
    Solaris: dos2unix
    True64: dos2unix
    Ultrix: dos2ult
    If your system does not offer such command, you may use one of the following methods:

    tr command:
    tr -d '\015\032' < dosfile.txt > unixfile.txt
    nawk command:
    nawk '{ sub("\r$", ""); print }' dosfile.txt > unixfile.txt
    Perl language:
    perl -p -e 's/\r$//' < dosfile.txt > unixfile.txt
    Check with your system administrator for further help.
    • If you use FTP to transfer interchange files, make sure you use ASCII mode.
    • If you don't use FTP, you need to use a DOS to UNIX utility before attempting to import the files.
      DOS and Windows text files contain invisible carriage return and line feed characters where the Enter key was pressed (either end of a line or end of a paragraph). UNIX text files contain only line feed characters.
      The carriage return characters in DOS or Windows will appear as a ^M when the text file is loaded in a UNIX editor. Your UNIX system may offer a shell command to strip the ^M:
  • Transferring files from UNIX to Windows:
    • If you use FTP to transfer interchange files, make sure you use ASCII mode.
    • If you don't use FTP, you need to use a UNIX to DOS conversion utility before transferring the files.
      DOS and Windows text files contain invisible carriage return and line feed characters where the Enter key was pressed (either end of a line or end of a paragraph). UNIX text files contain only line feed characters.

      The absence of carriage return characters in UNIX files may cause the text to wrap in a single line when viweing in a DOS or Windows editor (such as Notepad). Your UNIX system may offer a shell command to add the carriage return:
      IBM: dosread
      HP: ux2dos
      SGI: todos
      Solaris: unix2dos
      True64: unix2dos
      Ultrix: ult2dos
      If your system does not offer such command, you may use one of the following methods:

      nawk command:
      nawk '{ sub("$", "\r"); print }' unixfile.txt > dosfile.txt
      Perl language:
      perl -p -e 's/$/\r/' < unixfile.txt > dosfile.txt
      Check with your system administrator for further help.
      Note:
      If you are on a Windows platform and don't have access to a UNIX machine, click the link below under Related Information. 

Article ID:000003648

Software:
  • Legacy Products

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