[FAQ] Exporting to Excel

[takufriendly]

I'm Windows 7 as well, using Microsoft Office 2007 software and PVD 0.9.9.21.  When I try to export using csv I get the question marks at the beginning as well.  My Excel document looks nothing like the preview does.  It has no headers and isn't formatted (although all of the information seems to be there - it's just all squished together and isn't practical for use).  When I click on the very first cell I can see ?»? there.  I'm thinking that's what's goofing up the formatting.

Although I absolutely love this software (thanks for creating it), it will do me no good if I can't simultaneously use an Excel copy.  I have too many movies so I always need a current list saved to my phone when I'm shopping.

I also never correspond in forums like this, so I have no idea if I've left this in a place where people will notice it when they come in, or if it's just been added to some old string.  Oh well... here's hoping.  I've saved this particular page in my favorites and will check it every once in a while to see if there's any replies.  Thanks again.

[rick.ca]

Welcome, takufriendly,

This issue should have no bearing on what you see in Excel—other than those characters in the first cell. There's no formatting to goof up. It's up to you to apply whatever formatting you want in Excel. A problem you're more likely having is that Excel is not parsing the CSV file correctly. I've never had much luck with that, regardless of what produced the CSV file. My normal practise is to use Excel to open the file. Because CSV is not it's native format, it will then use it's "Text Import Wizard" to convert the file. For a CSV exported from PVD, all that's normally required is to tell the wizard it's a semicolon-delimited file.

Depending on what kind of phone you have, you might be interested in mobilePVD - PocketPC client for movie managment PVD.

If you've configured your account correctly (or just left it at the default, I suppose), you should get an email notification whenever someone posts to a topic you've posted to.

[takufriendly]

Thanks for the helpful tips Rick!

Your Wizard and semicolon-delimited notes made me realize I can simply handle this in formatting.  Open Excel document, click on data, click on Text to Columns and set up. 

Because I'm only interested in keeping the Title and Year on my phone, this worked perfectly.  If I wanted to save all of the info, however, I'd have to spend a bit more time figuring out how to format all of the additional data.

Thanks for the forward on the mobilePVD info.  If I spent a little less time working, I might take the time to download, just for the fun aspect of it.  But alas, I'm just a practical girl who only needs a title and year to make sure I don't buy the same movie twice - And you've provided me the solution!  Thanks again, and take care.