Creating a tab-delimited file for fluoride data

Data files must first be created and saved in the correct format before sending them to the WFRS Administrator. The data file must be an Excel or text file and must contain the correct fields and be in the correct order.

You can manually create a tab-delimited file or request and obtain a template file from the WFRS Administrator.

Creating a tab-delimited file for Fluoride Data

To create a tab-delimited file:

1. Send an e-mail to the WFRS Administrator (OralHealth@cdc.gov) and request for the Fluoride Data template or manually create a tab-delimited file as follows:

• Excel: Create a file and in the first row, enter the field names listed in the table below. Each field in the table represents a column in the Excel file. The fields or columns must be in the order shown in the table

• Notepad: Create a file and on the first row, enter the field names in the order shown in the table below. Make sure each field name is separated by a "tab".

2. Enter the fluoride data in the appropriate columns (Excel) or fields (Notepad) as described in the table below.
   Note: If using Notepad, use the Tab key to move to the next field.
    

   Field	Description/Instructions/Notes
   State PWS ID	The state ID for the PWS.
   Year	Year for which fluoride is tracked.
   Month	Month for which fluoride is tracked.
   Point	Point for which fluoride is tracked.
   Average reading	Average result of the daily testing.
   Highest reading	High result of the daily testing.
   Lowest reading	Low result of the daily testing.
   Sufficient Samples	Indicate by entering Yes or No if sufficient samples were available or reported.
   Sufficient Samples in range	Indicate by entering Yes or No if sufficient samples are in range.
   PWS Split Result	Results of the PWS split samples.
   State Split Result	State split result of the split samples.
   Sample Date	Sample date for the specific month in the format: 1/11/2011 (m/dd/yyyy)
   Split Samples – Comments	Comments about the split samples.

3. Send the completed file to the WFRS Administrator at OralHealth@cdc.gov.

Examples of completed files

Excel

.txt