Extra_POI_Editor - A tool to View/Edit/Convert POI/TourGuides (Part 1)

>900 posts! LOL!

Ok. V4.47 posted. I need to integrate the new help rufree4t made for it a couple weeks ago. Hopefully soon.

You can change Delorme SA to use decimal degrees instead of degree-minute-second. It is under Options - Display Tab. There is a drop-down list on the Coordinates field. Select the top choice "Degrees".

Oops!

Typically, Delorme give co-ordinates of a location as
N31° 42.668', W83° 38.335'
It would be nice to directly copy into the editor.

I'm sorry, I seem to be giving you a lot of work.

Not2bright, why not just change the Delorme coordinate preference to the degree decimal format as I suggested in the earlier post? That way you can copy and paste them in the more convenient format already used in Turbo's program.

Thank you, and turbocc thanks you. I'll do that.

Turbocc, I'll change the Delorme.

Thank you for the fix. Now it works like a dream.

Is there a way to avoid outputting extra commas at end of line in M-CSV version?

Is there a way to collapse empty fields in 4 field CSV format?

For example:

Address
city, state zip
phone
web address
comment

If the web address field is blank/empty then move comment field up by 1.

Hi DRMCMTR,

By default, EPE always outputs 24 fields in an M-CSV file. If you are only using 10 fields, you want the extra commas to be removed. Correct? What about you have sometimes 10 fields on some POIs and 8 fields on some others in the same file? Shall I make everything 10 fields or you just want EPE to get rid of the extra commas at the end of the line?

In the 4-field CSV format, EPE will always output an empty field. The reason is EPE does not understand the field separators. They could be a line break, a command, some text or anything else. So, it does not know that it needs to remove a line break in your case. I could probably program it to removed anything up to the previous field, but then this could lead to a missing comma after the previous field.

Your comment about the 4-field CSV is good (although difficult to implement) because the final formatting on the GPS looks very bad on the GPS when one or more fields are missing. It has been done that way to provide uniform formatting on the specified column and to ensure EPE could break it apart afterward in case you want to go back to GPX format.

I can see ways to resolve the 4-Col CSV problem. If you are not in a rush, I'll add this to my ToDo list. I have too much work these days to work on this right now.

Regards,

Turbo

Hello Turbo,

Add these updates to the to-do list. I am in no rush and I can easily remove/fix the lines in Excel.

1) To fix the extra comma my suggestion is if the M-col CSV assignment is set to "(not used)" then do not add the comma separator to the output file.

For example: If you only use 10 out of the 24 then only ouput 10 fields. If the entry/row has only 8 fields (blank/missing) used but defined as 10 fields on the CSV assignment panel then add the extra commas so that each row has 10 fields.

2) Ideally I would like to collapse empty/blank fields only when converting GPX to 4 column CSV. Any other formats should just output the blank fields.

I usually save 3 versions of the files I maintain:

a) GPX version
b) 4-column CSV
c) M-column CSV (master file)

I update the master file then create the GPX/CSV versions from the master.

Thanks

Happy Holidays

Hi DRMCMTR,

1) Ok. In the first place, I thought that "(not used)" could be used to add an empty column between other columns. I think it is time to get rid of this. So now I will remove the column that are "(not used)".

2) Ok. I will find a way. I could add special delimiters. When a field is not present, it will remove the field and any other characters inside those delimiters. Alternatively, I will remove any characters between the previous field and the empty field.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Turbo

If I put more than one line in the address field I get it as all one line in the output on my GPS. I tried the crlf, lf and other options under GPX options. What am I doing wrong?

The line break convention depends on your nuvi model. Check out this thread started by Whoaboy: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/23417 or check out his web page here: http://whoaboy.webs.com/editingfiles.htm

You seem to have tried all line break options. One of them should have worked.

If you have a 765, it should have worked. Weird.

Do you save as a GPX and load using POI Loader?

as soon as I get back home. Yes it is a 765. The GPX file was created completely in EPE.

Jeff,

When I was learning to create line breaks for my nuvi 250W, none of the commonly recommended methods worked for me. So I tried inserting Word's line feed command, and it has worked flawlessly for my nuvi 250W. I have no idea if it will work for any other model. But you might try this:

-- Wherever you want a line break to occur, insert a unique string of characters. I use "&&&&" (without the quotes).

-- Save the file as a csv file.

-- Open it with Word. (File > Open With...)

-- Use Word's Replace command to Replace All &&&& with ^l (that's the caret symbol above the 6 key, followed by the lower-case letter el).

-- File > Save will retain the .csv file extension -- which is exactly what you want.

-- When you open the file in Excel, the separate lines won't be visible until you increase the row height.

-- Load the csv file as you normally would.

I've also learned that line breaks will not occur until the field containing line breaks begins and ends with the _straight quote_ character. That is, "curly" quotes won't work. They _must_ be "straight" quotes.

Hope this works for you.

I have successfully used EPE, to modify files, many times. However, I have recently been trying to create a gpx of Boston Pizza locations in Canada.

There were some strange behaviours! It's a long thread. I have tried reading it all but I didn't find any similar references. Sorry if I missed them; but I would like to know if it's something stupid I'm doing.

1. Batch geocoding would not work. I checked input columns were all correctly labelled, in right order, and that it was a valid csv file. Still no geocoding. Turned out the only way I could get the batch geocoding to work was by deleting all the Canadian postal codes.

2. Even with the postal codes removed, there were many instances that individual locations would not geocode; kept defaulting to zero lon and lat. I could manually locate the addresses and "grab" the location. This took a lot of time.

3 After geocoding I would use the "display all POIs" map to check. There were a few cases that the batch geocoding had placed the location in the USA. Manual geocoding each faulty location seemed to resolve this problem without me needing to "grab" the coordinates.

Hi N2B,

Email me yor CSV file. I will have a look and see what causes the problem.

turboccc at hotmail dot com

I've recently started using custom poi's. After trying to convert a .csv to .gpx file using several different applications, Extra_POI_Editor is in my opinion the best application that I have tried.

One question...is it possible to activate the telephone number shown in the preview screen to work with a Bluetooth telephone connection?

Thanks again!

Yes. Save the file as a GPX and load the GPX version using POILoader. You will then be able to have the unit dial any phone number through a paired phone.

Hi,
I just moved from a Nuvi 350 to the Nuvi 765T. Have a few questions while using Extra POI Editor V4.47.

1. Merged contacts in from my 350 but notice that it only imported the Name, Lon, and Lat. No physical address was imported. I imported them by plugging in the 350, opened the favorites, and saved the file to my desktop. After that I plugged in the new 765T, opened it's favorites, then went to file, merge open, and selected the current.gpx file from my desktop. After that I did a save. Like I said, they're on my new 765T now, just doesn't show the physical address.

2. There are alot of extra fields on the POI Edit screen. The only ones I can get to display on my Garmin 765T are Name, Address, City, State, Country, Post Code, and Phone. I would like to be able to display one or two more fields on the Garmin Nuvi 765T to put a persons name (I use the name field for the company name), and one additional field to make a small note of the equipment they have from me.

3. What is the procedure for importing a CSV file to my favorites? I have approx. 1,000 to import from my customer list and prefer not to hand type them in. I tried using the help file but it won't open.

4. Lastly. Is there a way to change the catagory name from catagory 1, catagory 2, etc...?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! Love the software! Thanks in advance.

Most of what you want should be visible by pressing the "More" button in the lower right corner of the Go screen. Use description to get at the top and comments to get at the bottom.

Now if I could only get 2 line addresses from a GPX file.

Thanks for the feedback however, I don't have a "more" button showing. Only buttons on this screen are "back", "map", and "edit". Any other suggestions?

Are you saving as GPX or CSV? I think these fields only load from GPX. I have not used CSV other than to load something I have downloaded from here. I create all my personal POIs in GPX format.

Saving them as GPX.

Use Comment and Description fields for your additional information. On my Zumo 550, those fields are also displayed, as they are on some of the Nuvi line.

You should also have a look at my display format FAQ at
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/21274

At the time I wrote it I came to the conclusion that there were two 'styles' of display characteristics for Garmin units but there have been some new units out since then. If you use the test files from the FAQ and find a unit that differs, send me the details and I'll update the article. I think Whoaboy found a new line break character but I haven't edited the test file yet to include it.

Hi JD,
Thanks for your input. I did take a look at your screen shot and see the "more" button. Seeing the other buttons (back, map, save) it appears you got to this by typing in an address? I did this and still don't have a more button. I attempted to talk to Garmin Tech support and they were really no help. I'm running software version 3.8. They said this is the latest software. What version are you running? Any other suggestions? Have tried putting stuff in the comment and/or description fields with no success.

There are some options withing EPE you need to check as well. Hit the OPTIONS link on the opening screen and define what you want displayed. The default is a standard 4 column CSV type display. There are 24 fields you can define to hold information including the comments and description fields people here are mentioning. My standard template for creating POI or GPX files has either 9 or 10 fields. Besides LAT/LON, Name, it has the street address as a separate field, same for state, zip and phone. I then can add other fields for comments such as highway exit numbers, intersections, hours or just about anything else.

Once I create the file, I can then do a field replace and add a proximity or speed alert to all the records with a Field Replace command.

If you are just using the defaults, you don't get the goodies and you probably would never see a "More" screen.

jalkirby- I replied to your last post in your other 'Help' thread on the same subject.

I can't get the editor to work in Windows ver 7. Any suggestions?

What is the error message?

Are you missing some OCX file?

will this program work with nuvi 265wt

The program isn't for a unit, it's to work on the POI that are loaded into the unit. If a POI file works on any unit, it will work on all units that use the same file.

Yes, it is not unit specific. It even supports TomTom POI files and some Magellan's.

Hey Turbo,

So when are you closing this thread...1000 or year-end(J/k)?

Thanks you for creating and maintaining this program throughout the year. I hope you and your family have a great 2010.

Now get back to work...Holidays are almost all done.

DRMCMTR

Many Thanks to Jale for describing how to edit the favorites within the Garmin itself. One of my favorites changed addresses but the phone number and other elements remained the same. The Garmin won't allow a change to the address but the Extra_POI_Editor will.

From Jale:
Edit/adjust the Favorites in the Garmin itself ("Open" the Current.gpx file in the Garmin folder, "Save" after the edit is complete).

Thanks for all your hard work on a Great Program! Have a Great & Happy New Year.

A couple bug fixes in v4.49:

•Speed convertions were not done when importing a CSV file with a Speed column.
•Replaced <br> by <BR> for 7x5 models to have a valid line break.
•Added Excel *.XLSX filter in file open/save dialogs.
•Corrected a display bug in the More windown when <br> were used.
•Remove ending empty fields when saving to M-Col CSV (and avoid ,,,,,)
•Disable Streetview, View all POI on Map and Open Link field when internet disabled.

Best wishes for the new year to you all. It has been a great year. Because of you, EPE has evolved in something I can be proud of. Thank you for all your good suggestions.

I will be closing this thread! I think it is about time. I'll start a new one on the next release and add a pointer to the new thread here. I'll continue to monitor this one just in case somebody does not find the new thread.

Happy New Year 2010!

The above is one of the greatest understatements of 2009!!

I thought it was a stellar program at v2.98.

Over a year (or just a year, Turbo? I can't remember.) and 90+ released versions, all satisfying requests!! Amazing Job Well Done.

Happy New Year to TurboCCC and all of the POI Factory as well.

turboccc.Thanks for all your hard work this year and thank you again for Extra Poi Editor.

I am a newbie with POI's but have gotten the POILoader to work for me with CSV files and my Garmin 1490T. Still, I have never used it with gpx files. I would have stuck with the CSV files that I downloaded, but the phone numbers won't dial with my bluetooth. Since I was told the numbers will work if you put the CSV file in GPX format, I installed the Extra-POI-Loader to see if it could help me to convert the files and get the numbers to work.

This is what I did. I opened the csv file in Extra-POI-Editor (v.4.49) and clicked the option to try and pull the phone number information out of the address information for each of the 1000 files in the csv file.

I am not sure if this step worked or even was needed, but when I then looked at any single listing in the file using EPE, it did not appear to create a separate phone number field. The phone number was still tacked onto the end of the address for the listing next to the zip code. If this EPE option doesn't work, is there anyway you can get these phone numbers to dial, other than copying the phone number manually into each of the phone number fields? I have over 1000 listings in this CVS file and it would take forever to do this one at a time.

Still, hoping it might work without copying each phone number into the phone number field, I just saved this file as a gpx file, using EPE. But then I must have done something wrong with that step, because, POILoader wouldn't load this gpx file onto my gps. It said it wasn't a valid file.

So 2 questions:
1. What alterations do you need to make in the CSV file in order to get the phone numbers to dial,before you convert the file to a gpx file.
2. How do you convert the CSV file to GPX format with the EPE.? Just doing a SAVE AS filename.gpx doesn't seem to create a vaild file for me.

Thanks for your help.

Open EPE, Under options->4-column CSV (or M-column CSV fields) set the fields to match the CSV format you are converting. Open the CSV file and verify that the phone number gets extracted to the correct field. If the parsing is correct then save the file as a GPX and load/test.

Hint: you can clink on any entry to verify the parsing.

My unit does not do bluetooth so I can not test the dialing feature but I believe that if you have just a number (dashes but no tags) in the phone field then you will be fine.

I am really a newbie at this - forgive what is probably second nature to you but...

1. How do I tell what is the specific format of the CSV file I am woring on, and what, specifically, am I matching in the options of EPE?
2. Do I just manually open the CSV file and count the number of columns that are being used in the Excell spread sheet?
3. Do I click that phone option or not (it didn't seem to work when opened an entry).?
5. Is there more to converting the file than doing all this and doing a SAVE AS: filename.gpx?

1) The description field (forth column) can vary depending on the creator. EPE must know the format of this field in order to parse the file correctly.

We need to know what appears in the desc field:

Address, City, St zip phone (no line breaks)

OR

ADDRESS
City, ST zip
phone (with line breaks)

OR

Phone (no other data)

2) open the file in excel to verify the format
long, lat, name, Desc

3) If the file is parse correctly then the phone should appear on the phone field. click on one entry in the upper left hand first panel and then verify how the data was parsed.

4) All of the CSV data should be in correct fields at the detail screen most important is the long, lat, & phone number. After you have verify this then a simple SAVE AS GPX will create the correct file.

I understand your frustration as it is difficult working with something you haven't quite grasped the terminology or the technology.

Quite simply a Garmin CSV has 4 fields. The fields, if viewed in a document opened with wordpad, will be separated by commas - hence comma separated variables or CSV. The first 3 fields are static - that is they contain longitude, latitude, and a name for the point or POI name. It's the fourth field that's giving you trouble - and you're not alone.

The fourth field typically contains the remainder of the information such as street address, city, state, zip or post code, phone numbers and other information. This information can be in any order - and that's a failing of the four column CSV file,

Open the file using Excel and look at how the data in column D is laid out. See what elements are there and in what order.

Now, open EPE and under Options, M-Column Fields, click on the drop-down arrow for column 4. Scroll through the choices until you find an entry that most closely matches the order of items in the source file. When you have matched the data as close as possible, save the format by clicking on CLOSE.

You now tell EPE to open the file and it will read the source CSV and parse - extract - the data from the source file and show what it has found on the screen displays. You should be able to save this as GPX to create dialable phone numbers.

Do you still need to click on the option on that preference screen that says to extract, if it can, the phone number from the address information?

Where is this extract button/option you want to click (options->preference or options->4 column CSV)?

You should only need do the following:

1) Set the field assigments (Options->4 column CSV)
2) open the file (File->Open)
3) Verify extract/parsing (click on one entry in panel 1)
4) Save as GPX (File->Save as)

Sorry, for me that's an automatic.