CSA: Exporting reports to Excel readable format

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Product support for the Creative Solutions Accounting platform ended on September 30, 2020.

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It is possible to export reports from the Creative Solutions Accounting program to a format that is readable in the Microsoft Excel program. The following are detailed instructions on how to export reports to Excel.

Using the DIF Format:

  1. With the client opened in Creative Solutions Accounting choose Utilities > Export.
  2. Select the report from the drop-down menu you would like to export to Excel.
  3. Once you have chosen your report be sure to click on the Options button (same as the report options in Print Reports) and choose your desired report print options.
  4. Choose the DIF option in the Format area to the right of your Options button.
  5. Specify the file location where you wish to export the report. You can do this by clicking the Change Location button and scrolling to the location you would like to export the report to.
  6. After the location has been specified enter the name you will be saving the report.
  7. Click the Export option to export the report to the specified location.
  8. Minimize the Creative Solutions Accounting program and open Excel.
  9. In Excel choose File > Open and browse to the location you exported the report.

Although exporting your report to a DIF format will allow the report to be opened in Excel there may be additional formatting (mainly column widths) needed to display the report correctly in Excel

Notes:

  • To view the DIF file in the Open dialog in Excel you may need to change the "Files of type" to All Files.
  • Use Excel's File > Save as to Save as type .xls workbook before editing and formatting the spreadsheet.

Using the ASCII Format:

  1. With the client opened in Creative Solutions Accounting choose Utilities > Export.
  2. Select the report from the drop-down menu you would like to export to Excel.
  3. Once you have chosen your report be sure to click on the Options button (same as the report options in Print Reports) and choose your desired report print options.
  4. Choose the ASCII option in the Format area to the right of your Options button.
  5. Specify the file location where you wish to export the report. You can do this by clicking the Change Location button and scrolling to the location you would like to export the report to.
  6. After the location has been specified enter the name you will be saving the report.
  7. Click the Export option to export the report to the specified location.
  8. Minimize the Creative Solutions Accounting program and open Excel.
  9. In Excel 2010 or higher, go to the Data Ribbon, select the From Text and and browse to the location you exported the report.
    Important! To view the ASCII file in the Open dialog in Excel you may need to change the "Files of type" to All Files.
  10. Choose Delimited then Next.
  11. Mark only Space, Comma, and Treat consecutive delimiters as one. Leave all other options the same. Choose Next.
  12. Choose Finish and OK to place the data in the existing worksheet.

Although exporting your report to an ASCII format will allow the report to be opened in Excel there may be additional formatting (mainly column widths) needed to display the report correctly in Excel.

Note: The Data Entry Worksheet report also has an Excel format which creates a file with the extension xls.

Related topics

Using Microsoft Excel to import transactions from CSA into Accounting CS

Accounting CS: Spreadsheet import overview

Accounting CS: Spreadsheet import - chart of accounts

Accounting CS: Spreadsheet import - transactions

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