Importing Excel Data as Real Objects

Question

How can I import my Excel formatted data so it's real objects in PowerCADD which can be edited or exported (Save As) DWG^??

Requirements

PowerCADD v6 , Excel v10. , Mac OS^? X
PowerCADD v7, Excel v10 or newer, Mac OS X Tiger or newer recommended

Background

There are several methods to import formatted data from Excel into PowerCADD. Typically, most import methods use PICT^? or PDF^? which work fine for printing and internal management but do not export via DWG.

Methods such as Drag and Drop or traditional Copy and Paste methods work and produce real text objects in PowerCADD. However, the data Copied to the Macintosh ClipBoard in Excel is not retained when the contents is transfered to PowerCADD and other applications.

However, there is a Copy and Paste method which does allow you to bring data from Excel into PowerCADD as real objects which can be edited and retains formatting.

What To Do

This a fairly easy two stage process:

Stage one: get the data from Excel into PowerCADD

1. Open the Excel File^? containing the formatted information
2. Drag to Select the data to be copied
3. Press the Shift Key and Choose Edit menu > Copy Picture...
• (note: you must press the Shift key to see Copy Picture. Otherwise you simply see the Copy menu item which will not retain the formatting when Pasted into PowerCADD)
4. At the screen prompt, click the As Shown On Screen radio button
5. Make the PowerCADD drawing window active
6. Choose Edit menu > Paste

The result is a PICT file which retains all your formatting (the Edit Window will display the object type). This is a great format for internal use, but if the file is destined for a Saved As DWG , the table will not be exported.

Stage Two: convert the PICT table into real objects

1. Select the table in from step (5) in stage one
2. Choose Tool menu > Convert to Objects
3. Press the OK button in the caution dialog
• (note: the object is now a group as confirmed by the Edit Window)
4. Choose Arrange menu > Ungroup
5. The table is now converted to it's core objects

It's important to pay close attention to the conversion process as some formatting may be lost. However, since we now have real PowerCADD objects, it's a simple matter to use various techniques such as Selection Filter settings, or Select Special... to make the desire adjustments. The finished result may be Grouped for positioning on screen.

The above method takes advantage of some simple techniques which produce a table composed of Text, Lines, and Rectangles. All of which will be included when you save your drawings as DWG or DXF^?.

Demo Movie (815KB download). (need movie help? )

We hope that helps
caddpower.com

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