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Editing FPX Files in M/S Excel Spreadsheets

Printed From: PCB Libraries Forum
Category: PCB Footprint Expert
Forum Name: Questions & Answers
Forum Description: issues and technical support
URL: https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1142
Printed Date: 08 Nov 2024 at 1:05am


Topic: Editing FPX Files in M/S Excel Spreadsheets
Posted By: jameshead
Subject: Editing FPX Files in M/S Excel Spreadsheets
Date 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" rel="nofollow - uploads/53/Harwin2.fpx

uploads/53/Harwin.fpx" rel="nofollow - uploads/53/Harwin.fpx


Replies:
Posted By: Tom H
Date 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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Posted By: jameshead
Date 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.


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