Quick Start - Converting Files

Note: On-line videos which goes over the content below are available to get you going quickly.

The user interface was designed to allow for both simple and complex file conversion tasks.

For a conversion job, you will need to do the following steps:

(1) If not already chosen, select (C)onvert Files as the action to do.

(2) Select the conversion method, 'MS Excel' or 'Convert XLS'.

Select the input file(s) to be converted from the " $image\ebx_1332418670.gif$ File" or " $image\ebx_-668700270.gif$ Folder" buttons. You may use wildcards.

Click the Options button at this time to specify items such as sheets, ranges, delimitation/ separation character, fixed width profiles etc.

(3) Specify an output location to store the converted file(s). If the output folder doesn't exist this program will create it for you automatically. You may specify Date/Time fields.

(4) Optional: If you are going to specify more than one conversion item, press the Add button on the tool bar to add to the conversion task list.

Press Convert (or F5) when ready to begin the conversion job.

Repeat steps 1-4 as many times as necessary to create a Conversion Job with multiple Conversion Tasks. Conversion jobs can be saved, restored, and edited; they may also be run from the scheduler or command line. See the File menu to save or restore a conversion job.

Converting whole folders

In the picture above it shows the settings to convert every XLS found in the C:\IN\ folder to a CSV file. Notice the proper way to specify all files in a folder by specifying the wildcard *.XLS and *.CSV.

$image\ebx_1093943416.gif$ The Quick Launch Buttons

Quick launch buttons are extremely helpful. They are located immediately to the right of the input and output file specification area. When they are clicked they will open the files specified in their default editor. If a folder of files is specified the quick launch button will open Windows Explorer using that specific folder for your review. Use these buttons to instantly check the content of the input and output file/folders before or after conversions.

Modifying items in the task list

If you would like to make changes to an existing conversion item in the conversion task list, highlight that entry by clicking on it (double click for Options associated with the item). The details associated with the item will be displayed in the upper portion of the user interface. Make whatever changes are necessary then click the Update (or ALT-U) button in order to save those changes.

A conversion task may be moved within the conversion task list. Doing so allows you to easily re-sequence the tasks within the job. Select the Conversion menu item or the RIGHT MOUSE CLICK to open a pop-up menu item as shown below. CTRL-U and CTRL-D will also move a conversion item up and down respectively.

Right mouse clicking over a conversion item displays the menu shown above.

Using non-standard file extensions

If your input or output files do not use standard file extensions you will have to specify the file type in the input or output file format drop down list box. For example if your Excel files are named MyExcelFile.ABC instead of MyExcelFile.XLS you must specify the file type.