File Options Missing - Import

[Guest]

Hi there,

I have been using Framemaker for several months with no problems.

I recently opened an old framemaker file and tried to import an excel document. However, the import option had disappeared from my file menu.

I tried closing the file and re-opening. same problem.

I then tried creating a new file, however the import option still wasn't there.

I have shut down my computer, tried various files (both old and new) and I have the same problem with all of them.

Moreover several other options are missing from my drop down menus for instance I no longer have the option

View - Colour

I have tried updating my version of Framemaker (From 8 to 9) and yet this hasn't made a difference.

Any ideas?

Thanks...

[Art_Campbell1]

OK, working without any system info makes guessing about this a little harder, but...

No version of FM offers a directy import of Excel. However, if you trust Microsoft's OLE technology, you should be able to Import as Object in FM 9, assuming your operating system is up do date and also supports OLE. However, OLE has always been problematic, so this wouldn't be the preferred option.

Unless you have to do continual updates to the inset within Frame, I'd save the Excel out as a comma (or other) delimited file, and then import the resulting ASCII into a clean Frame file. Then Convert to Table, specifying the delimiter. After the table is set up, either import the appropriate formats into the table file, or copy and past the table into the working document and finish up the formatting.

[Be.eM]

Art_Campbell wrote:

No version of FM offers a directy import of Excel.

Art,

not true… but surely a somewhat hidden feature. You can import XLS files, and you can simply open them (as with FM files). Works here with FM9, 8 and 7.2. It's not necessary for importing Excel files, that the file extension (.xls) shows up in the format list (which it doesn't).

So, just select the file and use either open or import, both work well.

Bernd

[Be.eM · Accepted solution]

helenelizabethwilson wrote:

However, the import option had disappeared from my file menu.

Sounds like you switched to quick menus…

Taken from the FM9 help file:

• To display quick menus, select View > Menus > Quick.

• To restore the complete menu, select View > Menus > Complete.

Switching back to complete menus restores the Import option.

Bernd

[Art_Campbell1]

Bernd,

You may be on to something, and perhaps the OP's problem.

I don't have that option, to open Excel files, in my FM installation... and I'm remembering that it's possible for some file import filters to either not be installed or enabled.

So that may be it, assuming the Help file is right.

[Be.eM]

Art_Campbell wrote:

You may be on to something, and perhaps the OP's problem.

I don't have that option, to open Excel files, in my FM installation... and I'm remembering that it's possible for some file import filters to either not be installed or enabled.

So that may be it, assuming the Help file is right.

Art,

the help file doesn't deal with specific import formats. If I understand correctly, the whole Import > File Option is gone (not specific to Excel or other formats).

About your FM installation or filters: since v8 I'm using the TCS, where you don't have any installation options regarding filters. But as I said before: Excel is mentioned nowhere in any dialogs or drop-down lists. If you don't try it, you will never know you can import XLS files.

Give it a try, simply select an XLS file for opening it or importing it to an existing document

Bernd

[Guest]

Thanks Bernd,

That was exactly the problem ... remarkably simple!

Cheers everyone else for your help though!

[Arnis Gubins]

Actually, the Help file and User Guide specifically deal with importing Excel files. FWIW, this feature has been available since v.7.x, but deftly buried in various places througout the PDFs in the \OnlineManuals sections.

See: Import Microsoft Excel files in the Online Help

[Be.eM]

Arnis Gubins wrote:

Actually, the Help file and User Guide specifically deal with importing Excel files.

Sure it does, my statement was misleading. What I actually wanted to say: my qote of the help file doesn't deal specifically with importing XLS

Bernd