Re: [U2] [UV][OT]Embed command in CSV file? [ad]
One of my "hits" here is an application that can extract the contents of an invoice from our U2 system and produce as an Excel spreadsheet with multiple tabs. The main users of this appliation are our billing and collections staff. They love being able to send a client the spreadsheet representation of a disputed invoice without knowing anything more than the invoice number. As for formatting data within Excel, I recommend a standardized approach so that your business always provides the same type of output. If you provide the users with csv files, you run the risk of "eric the excel wiz" generating some spiffy colors and font selections that are much different from what "bill the boss" would like to present to the clients. Generating formatted excel spreadsheets with vb6 or .net is not difficult. There are many examples out on the net from which to draw from. --- u2-users mailing list u2-users@listserver.u2ug.org To unsubscribe please visit http://listserver.u2ug.org/
Re: [U2] [UV][OT]Embed command in CSV file? [ad]
Goo'day, Mark, At 20:44 23/10/05 -0400, you wrote: Tony: What's the fastest path for someone who's been providing the CSV's for the last 10 years and wants to deliver something more complete. I don't want to spend a lot of my client's money on packages. Have you considered (a) the "terminal emulator" path or (b) DOWNLOAD? I appreciate that there are sites out there infinitly larger than the environments we get involvred in, and that there are managers out there who will spend a dollar or two in getting a better solution, but way down here at the market we're in, CSV or some such seems to be "solution of choice" to most of our sites. Sure, we've had people look at expanding their bailiwick to include data communications twixt UV and "desktop" products, but in most situations, the available paths have been discounted - too much money or too complicated with the introduction of middle-ware - "We're not computer geniuses. We want something simple". They forgot "and as cheap as possible" We've had some success with MV-aware terminal emulators with "import" and "export" functions, with UV and wIntegrate, but the per-user cost of wIntegrate vs Dynamic Connect (no "import" or "export") normally limits the implementation of wIntegrate to one or two desktops per site (Errr Should I mention what is now called "commercial OpenQM" with its bundled AccuTerm 2k2? With all its "private functions") With UV we also had lots of success, where implemented, with Cedarville Uni's DOWNLOAD - now, that's at the *right* price - but it needs a "complete" in-house person to keep the outlay *really* low... Users tend to spend a deal of money over time "automating" their requirements. to the extent, we found, where it falls into disfavour 'cos of the "outside" (me) cost to produce "what we want".. Not prepared to invest in training for staff, not prepared to invest in "outside" assistance... The assumption is that the users are using Excel. I've taken some other advice on this forum to generate HTML which has had some success but is limited in ease of adding fields or making changes. Perhaps this is my opportunity to get into XML. DOWNLOAD *could* help you there, then an "add on" reporting facility with XML not an "add in" . In his original post, Barry was looking for an "automatic autofit" of data into Excel cells. Tony, in his reply, mentioned "DIY" XML. I'm assuming that Barry's .csv file/s are a regular occurrence and of a "fixed" layout. The easiest method we have used in these sorts of circumstances is an "up front" (saved) Excel macro to add in columns, format columns, add column headers, etc, etc, even to the extent of using Excel's "macro recorder". So, it might take a couple of goes to get it right, but once it's there, it's there forever But, I suppose that'd apply to XML as well as .csv It works - and it's cheap Thanks Mark Johnson - Original Message - From: "Tony Gravagno" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 5:46 PM Subject: RE: [U2] [UV][OT]Embed command in CSV file? [ad] -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.361 / Virus Database: 267.12.4/146 - Release Date: 21/10/05 Regards, Bruce Nichol Talon Computer Services ALBURYNSW 2640 Australia http://www.taloncs.com.au Tel: +61 (0)411149636 Fax: +61 (0)260232119 If it ain't broke, fix it till it is! -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.361 / Virus Database: 267.12.4/146 - Release Date: 21/10/05 --- u2-users mailing list u2-users@listserver.u2ug.org To unsubscribe please visit http://listserver.u2ug.org/
Re: [U2] [UV][OT]Embed command in CSV file? [ad]
Tony: What's the fastest path for someone who's been providing the CSV's for the last 10 years and wants to deliver something more complete. I don't want to spend a lot of my client's money on packages. The assumption is that the users are using Excel. I've taken some other advice on this forum to generate HTML which has had some success but is limited in ease of adding fields or making changes. Perhaps this is my opportunity to get into XML. Thanks Mark Johnson - Original Message - From: "Tony Gravagno" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 5:46 PM Subject: RE: [U2] [UV][OT]Embed command in CSV file? [ad] > Barry Brevik wrote: > > ...does anyone know if it is possible to embed some kind > > of command in a CSV file that will get Excel to autofit > > those rows automatically? > > The DIY solution is to use XML, for which there are examples around the > Net. It's always amazed me that most IT people think that a plain CSV is > an adequate deliverable when users want "Excel". End-users often spend > hours to days per month, reformatting data delivered like this, rather than > making a request to IT for something more useful. I think there is some > unstated belief by end-users that IT _can't_ create anything more > sophisticated than a CSV, so they often don't bother to ask - it's one of > those self-fulfilling situations that people assume won't change so they > don't ask and then things never change. Anyway, I'm glad to see people > here looking for something a little more professional and I encourage > everyone to check with your C-level management or other hardcore Excel > users about what they _really_ need from Excel, including multiple sheets > in a workbook, charts, highlighted data, and dynamic updates from live > databases (including MITS cubes, etc). > > Seeing there are no other definitive solutions presented in this thread... > The problem described is exactly the problem solved with NebulAnalysis: > http://Nebula-RnD.com/products/analysis.htm > NebulAnalysis and other MS Office integration products were written a few > years ago. Unfortunately there was only a small trickle of demand so we > are no longer "actively" offering them. For some reason over the last few > months a lot of people are looking to control Excel from MV so I might > bring it back based on demand and available time. > Please have a look at the audio/video demo here: > http://Nebula-RnD.com/demos/nebulanalysis/ > If you like what you see I may port this to U2 and give it some new life. > While you're on the site, check out NebulaManager to see what's possible > with Outlook - that's another one that I'd like to bring back. > http://nebula-rnd.com/products/manager.htm > > I have a lot of experience with the internals of all of the Microsoft > Office applications, and intend to continue development with Office 12 and > the MS Office System. Nebula R&D is growing and now has a team of U2 > professionals who can do this sort of work. So if you need to get info to > or from any Office product, feel free to ask about what's possible. > > Tony Gravagno > Nebula Research and Development > TG@ removethisNebula-RnD.com > (We just posted a major website update with completely reworked pages, lots > of new content, and a completely new strategic message. Please feel free > to browse the site, comment, ask questions, etc. - Thanks!) > --- > u2-users mailing list > u2-users@listserver.u2ug.org > To unsubscribe please visit http://listserver.u2ug.org/ --- u2-users mailing list u2-users@listserver.u2ug.org To unsubscribe please visit http://listserver.u2ug.org/
RE: [U2] [UV][OT]Embed command in CSV file? [ad]
Barry Brevik wrote: > ...does anyone know if it is possible to embed some kind > of command in a CSV file that will get Excel to autofit > those rows automatically? The DIY solution is to use XML, for which there are examples around the Net. It's always amazed me that most IT people think that a plain CSV is an adequate deliverable when users want "Excel". End-users often spend hours to days per month, reformatting data delivered like this, rather than making a request to IT for something more useful. I think there is some unstated belief by end-users that IT _can't_ create anything more sophisticated than a CSV, so they often don't bother to ask - it's one of those self-fulfilling situations that people assume won't change so they don't ask and then things never change. Anyway, I'm glad to see people here looking for something a little more professional and I encourage everyone to check with your C-level management or other hardcore Excel users about what they _really_ need from Excel, including multiple sheets in a workbook, charts, highlighted data, and dynamic updates from live databases (including MITS cubes, etc). Seeing there are no other definitive solutions presented in this thread... The problem described is exactly the problem solved with NebulAnalysis: http://Nebula-RnD.com/products/analysis.htm NebulAnalysis and other MS Office integration products were written a few years ago. Unfortunately there was only a small trickle of demand so we are no longer "actively" offering them. For some reason over the last few months a lot of people are looking to control Excel from MV so I might bring it back based on demand and available time. Please have a look at the audio/video demo here: http://Nebula-RnD.com/demos/nebulanalysis/ If you like what you see I may port this to U2 and give it some new life. While you're on the site, check out NebulaManager to see what's possible with Outlook - that's another one that I'd like to bring back. http://nebula-rnd.com/products/manager.htm I have a lot of experience with the internals of all of the Microsoft Office applications, and intend to continue development with Office 12 and the MS Office System. Nebula R&D is growing and now has a team of U2 professionals who can do this sort of work. So if you need to get info to or from any Office product, feel free to ask about what's possible. Tony Gravagno Nebula Research and Development TG@ removethisNebula-RnD.com (We just posted a major website update with completely reworked pages, lots of new content, and a completely new strategic message. Please feel free to browse the site, comment, ask questions, etc. - Thanks!) --- u2-users mailing list u2-users@listserver.u2ug.org To unsubscribe please visit http://listserver.u2ug.org/
