How to load a datafile from a Vendor onto your Triad

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When you receive a file from a vendor, the easiest way to get it ready to use with EZ_Software is to import the file into excel and then re-save it.   The steps to do this are given below.  You may also be interested in looking at How to use Excel files with EZ_Software

(1) Open the Vendor File in Excel

In the Excel Import Wizard, when you get to the step where you specify the column data formats, set all columns to "TEXT".  This is important because it prevents leading zeroes from being dropped from UPC's and SKU's.

The only exception to this is if a column contains all numeric data and you will want to use it in a calculation.  Then you would leave it's column data format as "GENERAL" (the default).

(2) Once the file is open in Excel, do the following:

Left align the columns with SKU's, UPC's, Descriptions, and any other columns that contain text (this will be most of the columns)

Columns containing only numeric data can be right aligned.

(Note: To Left Align or Right Align, select the column and click on one of the align icons at the top right of the Excel Toolbar.)

To make sure that all columns are wide enough, select the entire spreadsheet and click FORMAT / COLUMN / AUTOFIT

(3) Add the field numbers

Insert a row at the top of the spreadsheet and add put the field number at the top of each column.  Right Align all the field numbers.

(4) Save the spreadsheet as "FORMATTED TEXT- SPACE DELIMITED (PRN)"

Click on: FILE / SAVE AS / SAVE AS TYPE / FORMATTED TEXT (SPACE DELIMITED) (*.PRN)

This file is in a format that EZ_Software can read

(5) Save the spreadsheet again as a workbook file. (XLS)

Click on: FILE / SAVE AS / SAVE AS TYPE / MICROSOFT EXCEL WORKBOOK

This will give you a backup that you can re-edit in Excel if you need to.

(6) Convert the File with EZ_EDIT

In EZ_EDIT, select CONVERT
Use the following options:
    Fields in output File: SAME
    Data Lookup: NONE
    Primary Lookup: N
    Use a secondary Lookup: N
    Output file type: QUOTE AND COMMA WITH HEADER
Then select START to convert the file.

This will make all lines in your file the same length and allow you to view or Edit it further with EZ_EDIT.

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