Excel 2007 - how to preserve column widths

[ixodid]

I created a spreadsheet in Excel 20007 and adjusted the column widths to suit my needs. After I close Excel and open the same document again, the columns default back to the original widths.

How can I make Excel preserve the column widths I want?

 

[Andrzejek]

Do you Save and Close Excel, or just Close it?

Or the problem is - you use way too advanced version of it (Excel 20007)

Have fun.

---- Andy

 

[SkipVought]

hi,

record a macro setting the column widths.

Skip,
[sub]
Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE![/sub]

 

[ixodid]

(Excel 20007) - cute - I like that

It happens whether I close or save. I'm not clear on the difference because if I close it, it asks me to save anyway.

 

[ixodid]

I have more information that may be relevant. I am working with this as a .csv file because that is what was requested of me. Could that be complicating things?

 

[SkipVought]

You are OPENING the .csv? .csv files have no 'memory' of formatting. They are just TEXT FILES.

Rather IMPORT your .csv file into a sheet. Format it ONE TIME. Refresh your IMPORT whenever you get a new .csv file.

However, I would still macro record setting your formats.

Skip,
[sub]
Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE![/sub]

 

[ixodid]

Now I understand that it is a text file - I did not previously know that.

The rest (about importing) I don't understand. I think that is because I don't want to import anything. I need to provide an associate with a spreadsheet in .csv format that I am hand-entering data into.

I will be doing this often. So is there a convenient way I can create a "template" with the column labels I need and then send it in a .csv format?

 

[SkipVought]

I need to provide an associate with a spreadsheet in .csv format that I am hand-entering data into.

WHY???

.csv is NOT a spreadsheet! It is a TEXT FILE!!! It has NO FORMATTING, that you are so concerned about!

This makes absolutely no sense!

What is so important about using a .csv file?

Skip,
[sub]
Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE![/sub]

 

[ixodid]

I appreciate your help but the use of ALL-CAPS is considered shouting or rude and although I doubt you intend to belittle me, it makes me feel a little bit like a doofus.

I am asking the questions because I don't know any better. If I knew what I was talking about, I wouldn't be asking the questions.

All I know is I was asked by my associate to provide data in a spreadsheet and he said it needed to be in .csv format so he could import it into his CRM software.

Perhaps I am using the wrong terminology or something which is causing a misunderstanding?

 

[Gavona]

As Skip said a CSV file does not have column widths. Instead the value in each column is separated from the next by a comma. (CSV stands for Comma Separated Variable.) So changing the column widths will not alter the info your associate receives.

I think you should save your copy of the file as a workbook. Only save as a csv to send to your associate.

(You could save a copy of the workbook without data as a template. File, Save As......(in xl 2003) This is effectively a read-only copy of the workbook.)

The alternative would be, as Skip said, to record a macro to Create your headers and set your column widths.

(By the way I think Skip was using caps selectively for emphasis, not shouting.)

Gavin

 

[SkipVought]

provide data in a spreadsheet and he said it needed to be in .csv format

Again, a spreadsheet and an .csv file are two different things.

As Gavin stated, you can create a spreadsheet and Save it as a workbook for your working document, and also do a SaveAs .csv as the required product for your associate, keeping in mind that the ONLY thing that the .csv file contains is TEXT DATA -- nothing else with respect to spreadsheet formats and properties.

Skip,
[sub]
Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE![/sub]

 

[Andrzejek]

provide data in a spreadsheet and he said it needed to be in .csv format

it is almost like saying: "provide information as a movie clip and it needed to be in .txt or .pdf format"

Like Skip said: "ONLY thing that the .csv file contains is TEXT DATA" You can *SEE* it for yourself if you open your .csv file in a NOTEPAD, instead of just double-clicking on the file name in Windows Explorer.

Have fun.

---- Andy