NCDesk
Sample Files
Sample files for the Editor, Database, and Spreadsheet applications of NCDesk can be downloaded from below. These files can only be used when using these applications in standard mode and must be opened using the File > Open menu from within NCDesk.
File Content Conversion Guide
Copy and paste is now allowed into the editor, mail, and window
manager outside of testing/test simulation, although pasted
text loses attributes (e.g. bold, italics, etc.).
Size limitations for spreadsheet and database have been increased
to 500 x 500 for existing files, although the maximum for testing will be 31 x 15.
Most spreadsheets allow
output in comma-delimited format and most databases allow tab-delimited
format exporting.
Some applications can create problems (e.g. Works
adds double quotes that need to be deleted everywhere not a delimiter
comma).
Currently, each conversion is handled differently for each application and graphics cannot be moved.
Text into NCDesk Editor:
You can copy and paste, but text attributes are lost (e.g. bold, italics, etc.).
Users can try saving their editor files as simple html files, where possible, before resorting to copy and paste. Word has a Web Page, Filtered option that works pretty well.
If you want to open raw text files, only an opening <P> tag and closing </P> tag are required around the text.
From MS Excel to NCDesk Spreadsheet:
- The NCDesk Spreadsheet application only supports the reading in of two types of files: NCSH and CSV. NCSH is the native NCDesk Spreadsheet format. You should be able to
enter formulas into cells within NCDesk Spreadsheet and save the file as an NCSH file, including the formulas, and then read the file (with the formulas preserved) back in. If you are trying to convert Excel (or other) spreadsheet files for use in NCDesk, these files must be saved as CSV (Comma Separated Value) files. Note, however, that the CSV format will NOT preserve a formula: instead, it simply saves the result of a formula calculation. In general, what you will need to do is:
- As of 8/30/05 due to bug - insert a column on the left of your spreadsheet and enter data in at least one cell.
- Find and Replace any commas located inside cells with something appropriate (semicolon)
- Save the Excel (or other) spreadsheet file as a CSV file.
- Use the NCDesk Spreadsheet application to read in the CSV file.
- Save the CSV file in native NCDesk spreadsheet (NCSH) format.
- Edit the new NCSH file to manually add the formulas back in and save the changes.
- To save yourself some work, if you have a lot of formulas, you might want to do this:
- Edit each spreadsheet formula to remove its leading equal sign.
- Save the spreadsheet file as a CSV file (the formulas minus the leading equal signs should save as text).
- Read the CSV file into NCDesk Spreadsheet and save it in the native NCSH file format.
- Edit the NCSH file to restore the leading equal signs in the cells containing formulas and save the changes.
From MS Access to NCDesk Database:
- Export the database table (single table only) as Text File
- Add the extension *.tab to the end of the file name
- Follow the Export Text Wizard prompts:
- Delimited = Tab as separator
- Text Qualifier = {none}
- Include Field Names on First Row = Yes
- Then use the file open on NCDesk's Database application
- Data that does not convert well will have to be edited or re-entered
AppleWorks 6 Word Processor:
- Select all the text in the AppleWorks document
- Copy
- Open NCDesk Editor
- Crtl-V to Paste
- Reformat text in NCDesk to match AppleWorks document
- Save as NCDesk format document
AppleWorks Database:
- In AppleWorks Database file (use a copy)
- Insert one record and enter field titles (you may have to change field types to all text)
- Select all records in the AppleWorks database
- Copy
- Paste into text editor of your choice (you can use MS Word)
- Make sure the field titles are your first record
- Check records to see that tabs separate each field
- In fields with no data enter NA or other text note defining missing data
- Save as text file with extension *.tab
- Open NCDesk Database
- Open text file with *.tab extension
- Check to see if data is correct
- Save as NCDesk format file
- Change field data types where appropriate
AppleWorks Spreadsheet:
- In AppleWorks Spreadsheet file (use a copy)
- Insert Column on the left edge
- Insert row numbers in each cell on the left edge as long as there are cells with data to the right
- Save As Text file
- Open the text file in a text editor (you can use MS Word)
- Perform a Find and Replace on each:
- = To '= (so that the formula is saved-converted)
- .. To : (for each range defined in formulas)
- Save the text file with an extension of *.csv
- Open NCDesk Spreadsheet
- Open the text file with *.csv extension
- Reformat where necessary, delete single quote in front of each formula, check formulas, insert zero(s) in blank cells referenced in formulas, etc.
- Save as NCDesk format file
This file was modified on Wednesday, August 29, 2007; at 1:36:38 PM