Importing the metadata of a flat file that has no headers

[DWalker07]

If we are importing a flat text file that has no headers, and no delimiters (with fixed-length data), and we happen to have the column names, column lengths, and datatypes in another file (for example, in an Excel file), can we import that information into the flat file transformation?

In other words, can I import the info that goes onto the Fields tab of the Flat File Input, or do I have to type it all in? (I don't want to use the visual tool, using the divider bars, because there are too many fields and that is more error-prone.)

Thanks.

[marabu]

That goes by the name of metadata injection.

You can find examples in your Kettle books, the Wiki, some blogs and in this forum.

[Mick_data]

Or you can always copy and paste!!
If it's a one-off transformation, you can always copy/paste information from any step tabs into/from an Excel file.

[DWalker07]

That goes by the name of metadata injection.

You can find examples in your Kettle books, the Wiki, some blogs and in this forum.

Thanks, that's the info I need. I will look it up.

[DWalker07]

Or you can always copy and paste!!
If it's a one-off transformation, you can always copy/paste information from any step tabs into/from an Excel file.

Well, when the flat file has 260 columns, that's a little tedious. I will look up "metadata injection". Thanks.