Importing Data from Other Programs

Top Previous Next

You can import your vehicle or trip data from other programs if the program can write a comma separated value format file. Most spreadsheet programs can do this. Here is what you need to produce a CSV file for import into the program:

File format for generic import

The file to import must be in a comma delimited format. Each field must be separated from the next with a comma, fields with embedded commas must be enclosed in quotes.

There are a possible 6 fields in the import file. Not all tables will use all 6 fields. The following table shows which fields correspond to which table fields.

Field Fuel Maint. Repairs Access. Meals Lodging Log Misc

1 Date Date Date Date Date Date Date Date

2 *Amount Amount Amount Amount Time Time Time Time

3 Odometer Odometer Odometer Odometer Amount Amount Odometer Amount

4 Vendor Vendor Vendor Vendor Descrip.Descrip.Descrip. Descrip.

5 *Gallons Descript.Descript.Descript.Notes Notes Notes Notes

6 *Price Notes Notes Notes Days

* Only two of the three are required. The missing value will be calculated.

N/A Not applicable - leave blank

Date should be formatted mm/dd/yy or mm/dd/yyyy.

Time should be formatted hh:mm in 24 hour time.

Here is an example of a fuel import file:

9/12/97,24.01,1255,El Cheapo #53,25.52,0.94

9/30/97,80.20,1878,Texaco - Risser Oil,68.02,1.18

10/09/97,85.63,2470,Pilot Corp. #302,75.62,1.13

10/21/97,77.32,3133,Flying J Travel Plaza,69.1,1.12

11/26/97,24.00,3974,D. J. Collins Inc.,20,1.20

11/26/97,81.00,3794,Flying J Travel Plaza,68.7,1.18

When exporting from a spreadsheet, select the range of values to export and copy them to another sheet, arrange the columns according to the above table, the save as or export (depending on the spreadsheet program) to a file. Use the default extension (probably .csv) and name the file as to what the data is (fuel.csv, maint.csv, etc.). In Rolling Stock, select File | Import Data | From CSV File, select the table (fuel, maintenance, etc.), select the vehicle or trip as appropriate, select the file saved from the spread sheet, press OK. The data will be imported into the chosen table.