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Asked: 2026-06-09T23:00:50+00:00

I know YQL can query CSV (comma separated values) format text files. But often

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I know YQL can query CSV (comma separated values) format text files.

But often there are text files in just the same simple format but which use a delimiter other than , (comma). Tab-delimited text files are quite common for instance. Next most common seems to be the pipe character |. In my case I’d like to query a file delimited by semicolon ;.

I believe other tools that handle CSV often have options for other delimiters. I’m pretty sure Yahoo Pipes has such an option. What about Yahoo Query Language?

Is there a way to query delimited text files in YQL with a delimiter other than ,?

If not is there a bug or feature request to add support for custom delimiters or a way to add such support myself?

(My use case is the data published by the Unicode consortium which is many flat files delimited by ;. The master file being UnicodeData.txt.)

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    Is there a way to query semicolon-delimited text files with YQL?

    Not with any existing data tables. It would not be difficult to create your own data table, with which you could parse the file in any way you like. There is lots of existing JavaScript code to parse delimited files that you can make use of.

    If not is there a bug or feature request to add support for delimiters other than comma?

    Not that I am aware of; though this is mostly because I am unaware of any public-facing bug tracker or ticket system for the YQL platform.

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