Import email contacts to WLM from gmail - how?

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  1. Posts : 48
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #11

    I have been fiddling and testing and I seem to have found two problems. When I exported the contacts from Google, it saved on the spreadsheet with the header, and then a blank line, and then the lists started.

    When I deleted this line, it imported!!

    However, when it imports my phone numbers that have gone into that standard notation, they come in in that exact format. So, they're not much use.

    So, for now I am just editing the names etc and deleting duplicates. Then, in the morning I will import the whole list of e-mail address, so at least I will be operational again.

    Then, I need to find out why my phone numbers go into that funny format. Any ideas?

    I will let you know if I am sucessful tomorrow, Thank you so much.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #12

    Good troubleshooting, Jenni

    I exported my few contact entires(3) from Gmail and imported with no problem. Even though an internatinal phone number was in the data, Excel did NOT assign it to a cell formatted with scientific notation. I was probably more careful when I selected the CSV options (basically just comma seperated, not tabs, not spaces - and no text delimited with "quotes"), but who knows. It's moot at this point - you're using manual methods to ensure the integrity of the data. I hope you don't have too many contacts that need correction - if you do...... consider exporting Gmail again (did you already do that? How many times does Bill want me to export these contacts? :))

    At first I thought "Maybe the export option Gmail CSV format is different from the Windows CSV format" - I didn't notice anything, but I didn't look that closely. The Gmail CSV format probably just has additional column headings specific to Gmail.

    I was really looking to see how you got a blank line in your file. Still no answer on that - no blank line when I exported. The Gmail export might have hiccuped on an entry in your Gmail contact list.

    Yeah, Excel helps you when you import it opens a CSV file. It tries to figure out the best way to put data into a cell. Since CSV is "special" you have to be certain how the data is represented in the file. Normally, as the name suggests, data is delimited by commas (Comma seperated values). Depending on the what application created the file, text might be delimited with "quotation marks" or not. On top of all that, the application that opens the CSV file has it's own rules and you have to look at what they are to get good data. And finally, sometimes the data is wonkey - text fileds that are not quote deleimited might contain commas - Sheesh! More inoformtion than you need, but it's always nice to have a basis going forward.

    Anyway..... a text editor won't mess with your data. It's hard to modify (all those empty fields,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,)
    It's safer just to import the exported data without trying to sort it or remove duplicates. Beleive me, I've tried to sort out all the duplicates from all of my contact exports and, while tempting, it's really hard work. some entries have the same name, but different address or phone number, while other entires have the same name and different notes or birthdays or what ever. Trying to merge all of the John Smith entries into one almost cost me my sanity - maybe that's where I lost it come to think of it. :)

    I have to hand it you though, you are a trooper.

    Bill
    .
    Last edited by Slartybart; 21 Oct 2012 at 11:04. Reason: clarify Excel open a CSV file
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 48
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #13

    Thanks Bill,

    I've been away, but I can now report that all my e-mail contacts are correctly in my WLM at last. Phew, what a mission that all turned out to be!

    I will work on the CSV file and get the phone numbers etc sorted out...in time. Right now, I am just so very grateful for all your help getting me up and running with my e-mails.

    All the best,
    Jenni
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #14

    You are welcome Jenni, it was a pleasue working with you.

    Do me a favor and mark this thread as solved - thanks.

    and I'm out!

    Bill
    .
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 48
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Cheers Bill,

    Stay well
      My Computer


 
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