creating csv files

How is it that you are loading the CSV files onto the unit? Are you using the Garmin POI Loader software?

PT

Yes

I've loaded many pois from this site and had no problems loading with the poi loader and using them (pois) in the Garmin.
Problems is in creating files and saving in .csv format.

Is the format correct (long, lat, name, desc)?

Many newbies have the first two column switch.

I'm fairly certain it's correct. Also, I've copy and pasted from pois known to work into both Exels (Mac and pc) and tried to save as csv and even though the files are saved as csv files,they are not allowed to be loaded via poi loader to the unit(s).

AJ, do you have any other clues? Are you getting any error messages from the POI Loader when you try to run your csv file thru it?

Pois created via Tex edit and Excel: error message:
Files in directory >csv invalid
.csv contains features not compatible with CSV(comma separated value)

Did you remember to pick the FOLDER the csv files are in from POI Loader rather than trying to pick the files themselves?

e.g. Folder called CustomPOIs and inside that are many POI files. In POI Loader, select the CustomPOIs folder only. Do not try and select the files inside of it.

PT

The best way to troubleshoot it is have a look at it. If you want to send the csv file over, I'll check it for you.

If you have access to a computer with Windows, try running POI Verifier on your file.

RT

can you send the first poi line with all the data like you have it in the csv(comma delimited) file?

I'm using the same folder (poi .csv that ihad previously created) to send to the unit via poi loader.
I don't think that is the problem as I have successfully loaded pois to the unit using the same folder recently.
In response to Retiredtech:
Yes I have access to my wife's pc. Will poi verifer correct the files?
Thanks everyone

Some problems POI Verifier will correct, others it tells you about giving you the option to correct them ... like duplicate entries. Amoung other options, it will swap the coordinates if your long and lat are interchanged. POI Verifier requires a $6 donation to offset the costs of the Domain name and web hosting. ( http://PoiVerifier.com )

Like I said, if you want to send it over, I'll check it for you. Won't cost you a thing!

RT

When you get this message it generally means that some of your spreadsheet features are not going to be captured when you save your file as csv. The main concern is to get the file in the right format for the POI Loader. The other "cosmetic" properties are unimportant to the loader. Meaning, if you have the needed columns of data in the proper order then the file should work when POI loader reads it. If you want to keep the "cosmetic" features then you can always save the file under .csv and also under another file type using the same name (you would have 2 files, the non-csv file would keep the features that are being questioned)... So did you go ahead and save the file as a .csv anyway? If not then the POI loader won't be able to read your file?

PS.. Just saw RT's comment after I hit send.. You're in good hands now!!!

Hi AJ and everyone. I thought I would share with you all that my best friend is working on a POI Organizer program for us Mac users. You can create new POI's, import POI files to edit, import addresses from the Address Book and geocode them, create smart collections or manual collections of POI's and more. The program will export everything to a directory and then launch POI Loader for transfer to the GPS. I will keep everyone updated.

Also as far as creating csv files manually, I use both Filemaker and BBEdit to create files. If anyone has problems with POI files I would volunteer to look at them.
Chuck

Sometimes when I get errors I open the csv file by dragging it over the TextEdit icon I keep in the Dock. I can often see the error if the file isn't too large. Also by saving it within TextEdit it seems to create a "cleaner" (rather than an Excel file with a csv suffix) file for transfer.

I look forward to a Mac POI editor.

Wicked cool... if we see it, so don't be just teasing us!

PT

Hi Chuck,

After reading your post, all I can say is "That news just made my day".
I look forward with great anticipation, to the POI Organizer program for Mac users, your friend is working on. Please keep us updated...

Regards,

Tailspin

Nüvi 670
Mac User

I'm glad to have provided the good news. We are testing and refining the program now and will post announcements in the Mac forum when it is released. We may be looking for more beta testers (I have to check with him first). Might you be interested? If so, send me a private message.

-Chuck

[quote=Guttermouth

Wicked cool... if we see it, so don't be just teasing us!

PT

Having used Macs for years in a school office and dealing with the compatibility issue of life in the PC world...

One possible problem is the mac not recognizing them as CSV files. Some macs have default setting not to add an extension to file name. If you are saving and it doesn't have filename.csv then the loader may not ID it as a csv. PCs using Excel will automatically save with the csv extension or whatever format you save it as but Macs don't unless you tell it to do so.

Older versions of Office we really bad with this, but newer (past 5 years or so) do save the file extension, but often it is just hidden. If you get info on a file you can see if there is an extension, but it is just hidden.

Hi, Chuck..
I am very interested in your friend's POI EDITOR program for a MAC and would also be interested in helping do Beta Testing. I am a recently retired elementary school principal that once upon a time owned an Apple Dealership (back when Apple was actively pursuing schools' computer business through dealerships). I live in S.E. Michigan. I also drive a Smart Car, which is a riot and as my handle implies a Harley.

I own a Garmin NUVI 760 and an iMac. Please keep me posted.
Thanks for your consideration,
Ron Gramling