Editing FPX Files in M/S Excel Spreadsheets

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   Not sure if this is a bug or I am doing something wrong but I copied an existing fpx file in windows explorer, opened the copy in Excel, selecting TAB as the deliminater.  Everything appeared to come in okay so I then edited the part names for a number of parts under the "Part Number" column then saved the copy as tab delimited.

When I open the copy in FPX and try to view a footprint though I get an error:

"Error retreiving basic data".

I've attached both FPX files here.

Harwin.fpx is the original.  Harwin2.fpx is the edited copy.

uploads/53/Harwin2.fpx

uploads/53/Harwin.fpx

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jameshead Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Expert User Joined: 20 Mar 2012 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Status: Offline Points: 576	Post Options Post Reply Quote jameshead Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Editing FPX Files in M/S Excel Spreadsheets Posted: 21 Oct 2013 at 7:37am
	Not sure if this is a bug or I am doing something wrong but I copied an existing fpx file in windows explorer, opened the copy in Excel, selecting TAB as the deliminater. Everything appeared to come in okay so I then edited the part names for a number of parts under the "Part Number" column then saved the copy as tab delimited. When I open the copy in FPX and try to view a footprint though I get an error: "Error retreiving basic data". I've attached both FPX files here. Harwin.fpx is the original. Harwin2.fpx is the edited copy. uploads/53/Harwin2.fpx uploads/53/Harwin.fpx



Tom H Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 05 Jan 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 5717	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tom H Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Oct 2013 at 7:56am
	You can import FPX ASCII into Excel, but you cannot go from M/S Excel to FPX ASCII. FPX ASCII is a basic code and must be translated from Microsoft format to basic ASCII format. In Excel you should select cell A1 and then CTRL + A to "Select All" and then CTRL + C to "Copy Selected Cells". Open Notepad ASCII text editor and CTRL + V Paste into Notepad. In Notepad select "File > Save As > FileName.FPX" and save to your Library Expert default FPX folder. It should work every time. Personally, I edit FPX files in Excel every day to take advantage of Microsoft features and convert back to FPX for Searching, Viewing, Datasheet Linking and Batch Creating PCB library parts using my personal User Preferences.
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jameshead Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Expert User Joined: 20 Mar 2012 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Status: Offline Points: 576	Post Options Post Reply Quote jameshead Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Oct 2013 at 8:00am
	Thanks, I remember you saying once that you edited in Excel but couldn't remember the details. Thanks for clarifying.