Excel Export - D-Tools Forum

07-25-2007, 08:09 PM

In D-Tools 4.6 my end users could export a report I had modified for them to Excel. We used this for our wire checklists, as we didn't need all of the data included in the original checklist. They would then add or delete lines and columns of information (which honestly I left to them - I just do IT, not design or project management).

So, we get 5. I go "ah, <insert profanity>, I can't use my old Crystal Reports report? Ok, let me remake it in Report Designer." I do. I see the same data. I go to export it to Excel... "uh, where's the Excel button?"

I contacted your support staff, and was told "That feature has been removed."

I try to create an Excel Report which may in some way solve this problem, because it asks for a precreated Excel sheet, and then when I try to use a blank one (just to test and see how it works), I get errors about the NRI not being linked to d-tools.com.

When I ask for support on this, I get told "Uh, go post in the forums. Maybe they can help you there." Not exactly thrilled with the level of support there, but I'm sure your support staff has been overwhelmed with this release.

So, why exactly has this feature been removed? How do I create an Excel Report? It may solve this issue and the export function may no longer be needed.

If not, may we please have the Export to Excel functionality added back? Exporting to RTF then copy/paste into Excel will get very old, very quickly.

Reed Phillips · 07-25-2007, 09:12 PM

Work Around: If you were a 4.6 user you can use all of your existing reports. They are launched from within an open project. see page 529 of the User Guide. I will look into the Excel issue.

Reed Phillips · 07-27-2007, 06:15 PM

Also, you may use Excel directly See Page 561 of the User Guide. Let us know your progress.

07-30-2007, 05:41 PM

I have used the Legacy reports, but the Export to Excel functionality is not there.

You also cannot use Installation reports, but I worked around that by renaming the file and making it a Client report.

I have been told this functionality will be removed, however.

I will try the direct Excel option and let you know.

Reed Phillips · 07-31-2007, 07:27 PM

In addition to the direct method you should be able to..
1) Open project in SI 5
2) Select D-Tools > Reports
3) When the Reports Window opens, select File > Legacy Reporting System
4) Select and [Preview] report.
5) Select the envelope icon to the right of the printer.
6) Export to Excel.

Unless you have a report with well defined columns, this may not produce the desired result. The new Excel reports should do the job.

08-03-2007, 06:20 PM

Yeah, I noticed that when I went back and tried again. Sorry.

However, the Excel Reports don't have any way to sort/filter. I have to include say, phase, as a field if I want to sort by phase (using Excel's built in filtering abilities).

Am I missing something in it's functionality?

Reed Phillips · 08-04-2007, 09:03 PM

Yes, when you use the Excel reports you are getting all the data, so you would need to filter within Excel. As I am sure you are aware, Excel has a very nice filter feature set.

Depending on the desired final result, you may wish to look into Excel Pivot Tables. They are great for Grouping and analyzing data.

Memphix · 01-10-2008, 07:09 AM

I too need Excel for generating my cabel labels. I can not find the Legacy Reporting System under file for the instructions above?? Any help appreciated.

SenoS · 01-10-2008, 01:53 PM

In order to be able to access the Legacy Reporting System, you must have SI 4 installed on your machine. Then open a project and select D-Tools->Reports. Once the Reports interface opens, select File->Legacy Reporting System. Page 525 of the SI 5 User Guide.