Can POIs be combined?

I use turboccc's EPE. I download each file to a folder on the pc. Then open EPE, open Washington Campground, then select Merge Open, and select Oregon. Then save the combined file in your CustomPOI folder using a combined name, such as WA and OR Campground.

Yes if you use a tool such as EPE.
that's extra poi editor made by an elite member of this site.
Just do a search for it and download the file, use merge file to get what you are asking for.

As indicated above, the answer is Yes - they can be combined but I am interested in why you want to.

When POI Loader converts files from poi-factory (or home-made, for that matter) into the format that the GPS understands (.gpi files), the various custom POI files are "combined" within the GPS itself - sort of like the built-in POIs are "combined".

The reason I ask is that you may have some other objective that we are not considering.

I thought Garmin (at least) allowed you to load multiple files at once, and then you don't need to really combine manualy.

I don't know why Fluffo wants to combine files but I do have two combined files. Each time we visit Florida, I saved interesting places to my favorites and created GPX files called FL2009 & FL2010 etc. Charlie has Florida files that I have downloaded also. I combined them into a file named FLALL. I have a sub-folder already that is named ATTRACTIONS. I don't want another level of sub-folders.
The same goes for my South Dakota & Blackhills file.

Quite Logical.

Thanks.
Fred

There is an easy way to combine files if you have EXCEL on your computer. After you have downloaded both files from the POI web site, open one of the CSV files (it will open up in an EXCEL spread sheet format. Then copy all the columns / rows you want to add to the first. Then open up the second CSV file and PASTE the copied data into that spread sheet. Then do a SAVE and you now have both campground POI's into a single file. Then use the POI loader and move that file to your GPS. Is that easy enough?

Thanks for all the info, and a couple of ways to do it. For those of you who were curious as to why I wanted to combine the files; when driving close to the border of those states, you may be closer to a campground in the other state than the POI you have opened. My thought is that by combining them, I would always know the closest campground period.
Thanks again,

Bob

The simple way is to load one csv file into wordpad or any other editor, then cut and paste the second one and save the new file. I do this when I update my POI files I have on the POI Factory. If it's a GPX file EasyGPS will merge them.

I've been using EXCEL to combine/editing files for years. Pretty easy.

I use GeePeeEx to merge files. Really easy to work with.

Use Excel to open the .csv just as SIRE1234 explained.

I have done this for some CSV files, but you don't really need to do any combining at all.

Assuming this is for a Garmin, when you use POILoader, put both files in ONE Folder called "Campgrounds".

Then, when you are in your Garmin
hit "Where To?" - "Extras" - "Custom POIs" -
"Campgrounds"

and you will see:
"All Categories"
"Oregon"
"Washington"

Select "All Categories" and the closest for either state will show.

I have several Hotel/Motel listings that I keep separate by brand, but don't mind which I use when on a trip, so just use the "all" option.

Haven't hit a limit yet.

(Forgive my slowness if you have something specific in mind).

I'm interested in this too.
On my Garmin if I load an additional POI it erases all the previous POIs.Then I only have the new POI
So, wouldn't combining files permit adding a file before it is loaded? Then you are assured of not loosing earlier POIs

Tim fm CT

There are several FAQs that cover this. But yes, every time you run Poi Loader it will over write an existing file of the same name.

But there is no reason why one has to use the same name and you get a choice about overwriting.

If you are using POI Loader to put POI files on your device, the fifth screen will have the following four entries:

1. Please select the folder where the data files can be found.
2. Choose a name for the newly created custom POI file.
3. What units should be used for distance and speed.
4. In Express mode POI Loader will automatically choose settings based on the input files. What settings mode do you want?

In the second entry the user can choose the name that POI Loader will give to the .gpi file that it is about to create.

This was a welcome change to POI Loader when it happened. Before this naming capability was introduced, POI Loader ALWAYS created a file called poi.gpi.

Now, if there already exists a file in [Garmin nuvi]:\Garmin\POI of the same name that you are asking for, POI LOader will give a dialog box saying
"The custom POI file named xxxx already exists. Would you like to overwrite the file?"