New feature is 1.5 - Can't export BOM's to Excel

It has happened on two different projects on two different computers. the only commonality is that the BOM is for a project variant.

No I can't change the text format in excel. Even if I do as you suggest it retains the formatting in floating paint notation even though it would no longer be recognised as such the original part number is destroyed, it has to be "imported" in order to not try and be clever.

All the CSV file fields should be in quotes by default so they don't get 'smartly' converted. For example:

"FS1","FUSE LITTLEFUSE POLYFUSE 2200mA 30V THRU-HOLE","1","Farnell","1175-844","",""

So, "1175-844" doesn't get converted to 331.

Did you add extra quotes around the Wurth part numbers? Or maybe there is some escape char in the part number?

Hi Sparky Labs - it may help to confirm which version(s) of Excel you are using (maybe you have multiple installed on the computers) and if 32 or 64 bit if you are sending any files to be investigated.

James

The output produced using your templates does not open in excel. It complains does it's best and i get a BOM with some columns missing. I created my own template in xlsx and it used to work but now won't. I converted to xlt the same as the ones already there and it works bu the same mangled results. I'm sorry, it did work now it does not. No change in my excel installation only a change in going fram CS 1.41 to 1.5 and now a downloaded 1.41 does the same.

Well firstly the problem is that excel does not like the CS output even using CS templates. This is not excel's problem. if you are outputting into excel formats then you have to abide by the third party format you choose to use. I am using office 365 I have no idea if it is 32 or 64 bit but again why does it matter, the file format is the file format.

Hi Sparkylabs,

In that case this *may* rule out the template file being the problem, since it works on my system but has problems loading some columns on yours. In your project folder there will be a .OutJob file that contains the settings when using the Generate Outputs feature. It stores the Configuration and other settings so perhaps something has happened to that? It may be worth checking my template with the Example project:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\Altium\CS\Examples\PCB_PCIe_4-Port_Serial_Interface

since that's the one I tested. If that still doesn't work then it at least seems to rule out your files being related to the problem.

Best regards,

James Harriman

Altium

On the computer that I am currently using it is 32 bit

Thanks - it's just that CS cannot properly interact with 64-bit office and it was just an off-chance that you were running 64-bit but still had remnants of an old 32-bit installation.

Office 365 does receive updates, latest was:

Version 1805 (Build 9330.2118)

Release date: June 12, 2018

No one else has yet reported the problem Simon seems to have so I think it is unfair to blame CS at this stage. Keep an open mind.

I cannot help it if i am the only person to report this. If it is a problem goes unreported it can never be looked into. The office build at work is 16.0.9126.2227. If Altium choose to use Excel then that is up to them, they are at the mercy of Microsoft. xlsx is I believe an open format and if they wish Altium could just write the files themselves. If excel is being used to generate the files why can't it read the files it has been told to create. The situation is the same with the built in templates that mine was also derived from.

The problem so far has occurred on 2 projects and 3 computers, two mine and one my employers.

I expect that most people have given up and just export to CSV, more serious users may find this cumbersome if they wish to use a template that includes company logo,s etc. This is just a case of CS not doing what it say's on the tin for me anyway. All of the data that goes into creating the BOM comes from within CS so I'm not sure how this can be happening in a way related specifically to me.

I have tried all potential options on my home PC and BOM export works on my project and the sample project you gave the location to. I struggled with the same project last weekend..... My project from work now works on my home PC as well...... I don't know if some update has come through in he last week but well I wonder if it will work at work tomorrow.

Oh and YES I can also use an XLSX file as a template. Basically I have varying behaviours from different instillation's  of CS, or do we blame excel ?

It still takes several minutes to open the BOM configuration dialogue box on all 3 machines even when CSV is preset as the output type.

Th work PC still has the problem, this has not had the update to office yet as we are working under a policy whereby updates come through only after Joe public has had a chance to have a go and find the bug which would be me at home except maybe it has backfired ? If this turns out to be a Microsoft office issue does it perhaps highlight the need to not be dependant on it. Also why do i have to buy office to use CS ? I could just as well use another office suit that can handl the microsoft open formats allowing me to exchange files with other companies yet CS can't produce those files unless I add 50%-75% to the cost of the CS subscription.

Th work PC still has the problem, this has not had the update to office yet as we are working under a policy whereby updates come through only after Joe public has had a chance to have a go and find the bug which would be me at home except maybe it has backfired ? If this turns out to be a Microsoft office issue does it perhaps highlight the need to not be dependant on it. Also why do i have to buy office to use CS ? I could just as well use another office suit that can handl the microsoft open formats allowing me to exchange files with other companies yet CS can't produce those files unless I add 50%-75% to the cost of the CS subscription.