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I need to create a CSV file using pipe (|) field separators and caret (~) field delimiters to feed some data into our e-commerce system. The format of the file is not under my control.
Excel is of no use whatsoever. Whilst I can use pipe field separators, I can’t use caret field delimiters. Excel only supports single or double quotes or no field delimiters at all.
What are the alternatives?
- Csved — looks just the job except that it assumes fixed width fields;
- Windows notepad — this would work OK, but would be pretty nasty to work with. All of the colums would be all over the place, so it would be difficult to ensure that all of the data is valid;
- Excel — enter the data in the wrong format, and hope I can convert to the correct format later using something like Windows PowerShell.
None of the alternatives is particularly appetising. Anybody know of a ninja CSV file editor? Help…!
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I suspect Microsoft’s Log Parser 2.2 might be useful.
Thanks Rob, I will look into Log Parser.
My product Killink CSV will do the trick. You can define any character as the delimiter, field values can be any length, and the editor works just like a spreadsheet (but without the nasty side effects of some spreadsheet software). Learn more at http://www.whitepeaksoftware.com/killink-csv/ .