Create csv file for data in tables

Question

Hi All,
I need to "export" data for about 60 tables in one of my databases to a csv file format using a "|" as a separator.
I know I can do this using a query like:
select col1 || '|' || col2 || '|' || col3 from table;
Some of my tables have more than 50 columns so I'm guessing there is an easier way to do this than to construct select SQL statements for each table?
Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I would point out that the OP did not identify the target for the files so it could be an non-Oracle database or Excel in which case external tables would not work since Oracle only writes to external tables in datapump format.  If the target is another Oracle database then external tables would be an option.  If external tables are an option then insert/select over a database link would be a potential alternate approach to using csv files.
I use a SQL script to generate the Select statement to create my csv files.
set echo off
rem
rem SQL*Plus script to create comma delimited output file from table
rem
rem 20000614  Mark D Powell   Automate commonly done task
rem
set pagesize  0
set verify    off
set feedback  off
set linesize  999
set trimspool on
accept owner    prompt 'Enter table owner => '
accept tblname  prompt 'Enter table name => '
spool csv2.sql
select 'select ' from sys.dual;
select decode(column_id,1,column_name,
             '||''|''||'||column_name)
from   sys.dba_tab_columns
where  table_name = upper('&&tblname')
and    owner      = upper('&&owner')
order by column_id;
select 'from &&owner..&&tblname;'
from   sys.dual;
spool off
undefine owner
undefine tblname
HTH -- Mark D Powell --