Unicode/UTF-8 characters (Chinese characters, Barcodes, etc.) and CSV filesSimple CSV files do not support Unicode/UTF-8 characters. This is a limitation of the CSV format and not something that can be changed in DEAR. However, it is possible to import/export Unicode characters following these steps. Show Unicode/UTF-8 characters include:
NOTE: If you export a file in the correct format and save it as a simple CSV, the characters will be overwritten and CANNOT be reverted to the correct format. If the overwritten file is then imported into DEAR, it will overwrite the characters in the system, and they CANNOT be recovered. This is a limitation of the CSV format that is beyond DEAR's control. Table of Contents
Exporting CSV files with Unicode characters[back to top] You must first change the General Settings, so export files use the correct encoding.
Viewing and Editing CSV files with Unicode characters[back to top] Unicode files CANNOT be opened in Excel by double-clicking the file the Unicode characters will not display correctly and be damaged. If a file opened in this way is saved, it will overwrite and corrupt the exported file. You can check that correct details have been exported by opening the file in Notepad. To view Unicode characters in Excel, follow the steps below. NOTE: MS Excel for Mac 2011 does not open CSV files with Unicode encoding. View Unicode characters in Excel:
Saving an Excel file as CSV with unicode encoding[back to top] In some cases, you will be working with a new spreadsheet, not one that was exported from DEAR. You will need to save your Excel spreadsheet as a CSV file with unicode encoding in order to import it correctly into DEAR without corrupting the special characters. The steps are as given below:
Importing CSV files with Unicode characters[back to top] The final step is to import the modified file back into DEAR. You can import the file from the same screen that you exported from. NOTE: You must only use the CSV file that you have JUST saved from the Excel file. If you open the CSV file, make changes, then save it again, this will remove all the UTF/Unicode characters. If you want to make changes, you must make them in the Excel file. |