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Delimiter

property Delimiter: Char read write;

Example​

procedure ConfigurePipes(const Items: TStringList);
begin
  Items.Delimiter := '|';
  Items.StrictDelimiter := True;
end;

Usage​

Delimiter specifies the single character separating fields in DelimitedText and defaults to a comma.

  • Use a non-null character not expected unquoted in data.
  • Set StrictDelimiter explicitly when whitespace must be preserved.
  • Changing the property does not reparse or transform current entries.

Additional Technical Info​

Delimiter is declared by hidden ancestor TStrings and is normally used through a concrete visible descendant such as TStringList. Changing it configures later delimited reads/writes; it does not immediately alter existing strings.

Source-backed behaviour​

TStrings.Create initializes Delimiter to comma. The value is stored directly with no validation or notification. DelimitedText uses it for joining and parsing; CommaText temporarily overrides it and restores the original value.

Delimiter is one UTF-16 Char, not a string token. #0 is unsafe because the parser also uses null as end-of-input. If the delimiter appears inside data, correct quoting requires a nonzero QuoteChar.

DelimitedText consumes the setting. QuoteChar escapes delimiter-containing fields.

Official RTL references​

Created 2026-07-15