Can I save an excel file so each cell is separate?

[Jef]

I need to import an Excel:mac table into a 2D drafting program. When I
import the file as a .txt, it comes in as one big block of text. I
would like it to appear the same way it does in Excel, each cell is a
separate "block." For example, I have a column for descriptions. When I
change any of them it also moves the text in the next cell because they
are all on the same line. Is there a way to save it so each cell is
separate?

Thanks.

 

[Geoff Lilley]

Jef:

Depends more than anything on how the text is separated. Ostensibly,
the file has some common character that separates the first column from
the second, such as a tab or a space, or a semicolon. If that's the
case, open a new workbook, then go to your Data menu, and choose "Get
External Data," and then in the "Get External Data" sub-menu, choose
"Import Text File."

HTH. Post back if I'm totally off-base; I defer to the wisdom of the
others.

Cheers,
Geoff Lilley
Microsoft Office Master Instructor (2000/XP)
Apple Certified HelpDesk Specialist (OS X 10.4)

 

[Salmon Egg]

I need to import an Excel:mac table into a 2D drafting program. When I
import the file as a .txt, it comes in as one big block of text. I
would like it to appear the same way it does in Excel, each cell is a
separate "block." For example, I have a column for descriptions. When I
change any of them it also moves the text in the next cell because they
are all on the same line. Is there a way to save it so each cell is
separate?

In the past, probably a much earlier version of Excel, I have saved text
files generated in pascal using the write and writeln functions. The writeln
introduces a tab while the writeln introduces a CR. Excel read such files as
a tab delimited files. The result was a spreadsheet just the way I wanted.
The tab delimited file also was the way the various dBase files stored data.
I can only hope that Excel still retains that capability.

Bill
-- Fermez le Bush

 

[CyberTaz]

The answer is to be found in the 2D program you're trying to import into.
Check its Help ot User Manual or contact the developer's web site. You need
to find out what type of file(s) it can read, then save a copy of the XL
data in that format (if XL can produce a file of that type).

You may find that the program can import XL data directly without creating a
Text file

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac