[RESOLVED] Read text file and sum a column of data

[suprsnipes]

Hi,

I am new to the forum and would like some guidance on how I can achieve the following.

I would like to read data from a text file after which I want to do a simple calculation that totals one of the columns.

I have already been able to read the text file into a text box but firstly I'm not quite sure if this method of using the text box is appropriate and secondly how do I sum a column of data?

Thank you in advance,
suprsnipes

[cicatrix]

You can connect to CSV files the same way you connect to a database and use SQL queries on them.
If this isn't appropriate for you, your task is to read the contents of a file (use IO.StreamReader class), then split each line into tokens using String.Split method or Split function thus isolating the needed data column in it, parse the value using TryParse method to convert string tokens into numeric values, then add them up.


Manual reading (reading C:\somefile.txt and adding up the third column of integer values with comma character as a column separator):

Sub ReadCSV()
    Dim filecontents As String() = IO.File.ReadAllLines("c:\somefile.txt")
    Dim Sum As Integer = 0 ' This holds the sum
    For Each line In filecontents
        ' Using comma ',' as a separator (you may use other characters)
        Dim tokens() As String = line.Split(New Char() {","c})
        Dim value As Integer = 0 ' This holds the current value
        ' Let's suppose you need to add up a third column of integer values:
        If tokens.Length >= 2 Then
            ' Parsing the third column and if successful add it to the sum:
            If Integer.TryParse(tokens(2), value) Then
                Sum += value
            End If
        End If
    Next
    MsgBox(Sum)
End Sub

[Swati123]

Thanks For Post..

[IanRyder]

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum but please do not post to an old thread to ask your own question even though you may have used that thread to try and answer your question. At least you looked first before asking.

So, please create a new thread to ask your question and just as a hint, if you compare the data types of “Sum” and “value” you will have your answer. This also implies that you have Option Strict turned Off, so turn it ON now and it will help you to eradicate these types of issues in the future.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Ian