Edit CSV in Extra_POI_Editor

My preference for many files is to take the .csv file, open it in EPE, add a proximity distance to each location, and then save the file as a .gpx file.

This technique lets me use "Express" mode of POI Loader.

I assume you have downloaded the latest version of EPE from
http://turboccc.wikispaces.com/Extra_POI_Editor#toc5.

Tell us one of the files that you are having problems with.

It could be any file but here is one of mine

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/41668

All files I've tried have the same error message. I could ignore it but I would have to do that to all entries but that wouldn't help.

I would do that if I could open the file in EPE.

Using v5.91

Opening the file you gave in Excel and Notepad, it seems the last line (64) is not up to form. For one, it has 6 columns instead of 3 like the rest, the spaces and commas and quotation marks are in disarray. It could be why.

Note: Nevermind, you could ignore this.

I wrote a tutorial on using EPE to create and edit CSV files. Are you following those guidelines?

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/41653

I could take out the entry and still get the lon/lat error.Any POI file I download from here gives me the same error. I'm guessing a setting in EPE just don't know what.

I did follow your set up and that's where I'm going next. Missed something.

Just opened Nevada Senior Centers in EPE and scrolled through all entries.

I note that, except for line 64, there are only 3 columns. The "name" (typically) field contains "name,street,city,state,zip,{phone}" except for line 64 which contains in column 3 "Parkdale Community Center" and has a column 4 with ""3200 Ferndale St, Las Vegas, NV. 89121. 702-455-8502""

I used V5.91

I assume you read
Configuring EPE {G}

I've noticed several things with your senior center file.

Line 64 - besides having additional entries (cells) not allowed in a CSV, some of the elements have periods instead of commas. Correct those and combine the extraneous elements into a single field in column C so it is like the others.

Overall format - The data in Column C is not consistent in that some lines have a street address followed by a PO Box, others have a PO Box followed by a street address. This will probably cause errors in EPE as it expects a somewhat consistent data order. It can find strings like city, state, phone and zip, but it doesn't know know what to do with both a street address and a PO box as they can both be used as a "street address."

That's one of the great things about EPE it can take (parse) a data string an extract elements because of their format and pattern. Disturb the patterns and EPE will reject the file. I think that's what's happening with your attempted edits.

I've taken your Senior Center file and reworked it into my standard input file format as outlined in the tutorial. I'll send it to you if you will drop me a note using my contact tab with your email. Use this as a template in creating other files and you should have no problems going further.

Darn nice of you guys. I take back all the nasty rumors I've been saying. (just kidding)
A sample will be greatly appreciated. What is confusing is pulling a random file from the POI list as a control (Comerica Bank) and having the same error.

EPE V5.91 produces no errors with the Comerica Bank file. Is it downloading correctly to your computer?

If you open Comerica Bank.csv with Notepad, the first line should be
-112.039179,33.508832,Comerica with 24-7 ATM,"1959 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016, 602-297-8450"

Please have a look and report back.

That's what I get in notepad.That's why I keep emphasizing that I get the error with all files. I reinstalled EPE v5.91-no help.

OK, if you've used Box Car's tutorial, EPE will not be set up to read normal CSV files properly.

Normal CSV file layout has Longitude in column 1 and Latitude in column 2.

Box Car's modified M-column profile has moved Longitude to column 7 and Latitude to column 8. EPE will produce an Invalid CSV file error message if you try to use this profile with a normal (Garmin) CSV file...

You'll need to switch to a default EPE profile that has columns mapped as Longitude,Latitude,POI Name,Address.

If you overwrote the default 1- User Profile with Box Car's layout this should do it:

1. Open EPE
2. Select Options -> M-Column CSV Fields...
3. Select 2- User Profile from the drop-down list
4. Open the Comerica Bank.csv CSV file

EDIT: To create your own files using Box Car's tutorial, in the future you would need to switch to Box Car's modified profile and then back to the default one for normal Garmin CSV files (which only use four columns).

Thank you. It always seems that a simple way works. I really had a fit trying to figure this out with Excel.
First time I opened it.
Now EPE has a provision for an image ( I like inserting images) does that mess things up by making an extra column? When I submit a POI Jon usually has to fix something. Or is the template set for as many columns as "blanks"?

This is when it clicked.

Thanks to nats50, jgermann and Box Car, too. I just need more practice.