When attempting to import Census 2000 Geographic ID data into a specified Summary File template using Microsoft Access 2007, the text-based fixed-width geographic ID data file will not import correctly using "automagic" default settings. Information from the data dictionary will have to be supplemented into the import settings to properly import the data.
I will present an example using the Summary File 3 template file.
In Access, open the SF3.mdb template file.
Open the "SF3GEO Dictionary" table and print it out. You will need a clear way to reference this data using the "NAME", "SIZE", and "OFFSET" columns. Accessing this information is practically impossible while having any other tables open or while importing tables, and having a printed copy in front of you is the easiest way to accomplish easy accessibility.
Ok, so let's begin the import process.
Right-click on SF3GEO and select "Import" => Text File".
Click on the "Append a copy of the records to the table" and from the pulldown menu select "SF3GEO". Browse for the copy of the selected state's GEO ID file (XXGEO.TXT, where XX is the state in question).
Select OK.
Go with the default sensed option of "Fixed Width".
Click on the "Advanced..." button.
Note that we now see a series of field names along with "Start" and "Width" columns. These are actually in the reverse order that we shall read these values from our printed "SF3GEO Dictionary". "OFFSET" corresponds to "START", and "SIZE" corresponds to "Width".
You will need to check for the correct values in each and every one of the columns. There is actually one column or entity listed in the "SF3GEO DICTIONARY" that does not appear in the "SF3GEO" table, and that is "PLACEDC". I would just leave the default values for this one outlier alone.
The rest of the default values are fine, just press "OK" when done.
I think you all will be able to handle the remainder of the import process just fine from here.