My Mac does not recognize custom POI's in the format of .CSV files, only GPX files

I am running osx 10.4.9 and have a Nuvi 670. All the POI's I download are in .CVS and work fine using the POI Loader for Mac. Are you trying to open the file on your Mac? If this is the case you need to use a program like Microsoft word, but i'm not sure if that is what your trying to do.

Here's what I did.
I downloaded the .CSV file to my Mac.
Next, I started the Mac POI loader on my 350 and browsed my Mac for the .CSV download. I could see it but it was grayed out so I couldn't access it.
However, GPX files are not grayed out and I can access them.
But, if you are able to access .CSV files, I should have the same capability.

Thanks...

In order to view .CSV files you would need Microsoft Excel (Mac or Windows) this format is known as "Comma Separated Values". To upload .CSV files using the Mac POI Loader just put the .CVS file into a folder and point the POI Loader to the folder. Upload the file to your Garmin unit.

I hope this helps.

I said word but you are correct it would be Excel.

What I did is put the POI's in a folder on my Mac desktop ( they have to be in a folder. Next I open Garmins POI loader and direct it to my garmin then to the folder on my desktop. I named the folder on my desktop POI but name it what ever you want. I think that should do it. Let me know... Monte

You'll need to keep all of your POI files in the folder. I discovered if I added new files, but removed older files, which I had already uploaded, the older files would also be removed from my GPS unit. When I put all the files back into the folder and uploaded, all of the POI "databases" were on my GPS unit.

When you add a updated POI file like red light cameras or any POI that is already in your folder with an identical name a window will appears on your Mac that says "An item named __________ already exists in this location. Do you want to replace it with the one you are moving" Click Replace, Then just upload to the unit with your POI loader.

If you want to open the .csv files and do not have Excel, you can go and download neooffice(freeware) form neooffice.org. It's an MS Office alternative and works great for opening and editing MS office files (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.). I have both a Mac and PC, but I do all of my updating/uploading of custom POIs to the nuvi 350 on my Mac. I just keep one folder with all my .csv files and when I add a new files, I upload all the files with the POI Loader by pointing to the folder. If you just try to upload one .csv, you end up replacing the previous custom POI file on your nuvi with the one file. If there was a way to just add one .cvs file, I'd like to know. The good thing about this is that you always have a back up of all your custom .csv files. I also read somewhere that if you want to disable a file from being read by the nuvi, you can append the name of the .csv from something like "poi.csv" to "poi.csv_delete" so the nuvi cannot read it. I just move the file to another folder I created for POIs that I do not want loaded to the nuvi. Good Luck.

Google Documents works well also. For some reason, the .csv files I pulled from POI Factory will not open in Excel on my Mac until I upload them to Goolge Documents then export them in Excel csv format. It's a twisted path, but it's worth it since I only have to do that once per POI. Another plus is that once I upload them, I can access them anywhere.

Don't use Word, use the TextEdit application that comes on every Mac or Excel to open and view a cvs files. MS Word will just make a huge mess out of the simple text file.

I have used the Mac POI loader with CVS files just fine. You do need to keep them in a folder and pick the folder in POI Loader and not the cvs file alone.

If you want Excel to always open CVS files, Do this.

1. Find a cvs file and get info on it. Found under the File menu in the finder or use the keyboard shortcut CMD-I.

2. In the info window that opens you will find a section labeled "Open With:"
Toggle the triangle next to the section if needed to view the open with info

3. Pick Microsoft Excel from the drop down list. If it's not in the list pick Other and it will allow you to go find Excel in the applications folder.

4. Click the Change All... button and answer YES.

Now all .CVS files will be linked to Excel and should open in Excel when you double click them.
(NOTE: This will NOT hinder the ability of POI loader to work properly)