[mphenterprises]

Hi All. Okay, those of you who have been around the Community long enough know that I whenever I ask a question, it is usually a good one. This one is no exception. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how to copy information from a table on a website and create either a Comma Separated Value file (.csv) or an Excel spreadsheet (.xls).

Basically, I only want to select one row of information, not the entire table. I can copy the table and paste it into Excel with no problem but then I have to go back and delete the information I don't need. Depending on the length of the list, that would be a very time-consuming process. To give you an example, take a look at this table: Click on the image to enlarge it.







I would only want to copy one of these columns and paste it into Excel. Does anyone have any ideas?

[Tech4me]

Hi Mph. I normally use snip/tool.

when I cut out the one I need ....then click edit ....Copy ....then I paste it to excel ....( Too long for you ...?)

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

[mphenterprises]

Hi Tech4Me. Thanks for that. Are you referring to the Vista default Snip Tool or are you referring to the third party application Snip-It?


Also, from the screen shot, is the pasted data in line 3 or just pasted above line 3?






Ehhhh, I just realized I stated row when I really meant column. I guess it wouldn't matter would it?

[Tech4me]

Hi Mph. Yes ...Its Vista snip tool, and you can paste anywhere you like...Or after you paste ..then you can move it ....Hope it help.
The only thing is...It wonlt let me retype over it....

[mphenterprises]

Cool. Thanks for the suggestion. I switched over to Vista to give it a shot.

[Tech4me]

Good luck Mph ....Got to go....so sleepy..LOL.

[piyushsingh]

There is a way you can import web tables into excel with or without the formatting. The method works pretty well for all text based tables and also for tables with lots of formatting involved. btw - a link of the webpage you re trying to work upon with would have made things a bit more clear as the formatting involved would have been visible.


Here is what you may try.

* Open excel. I ve 2007 version , so the screen shot will be from that. The same options are also present in office XP and office 2003 .
* Go to data menu and then to get external data -> from web.
* An web query window will open up as shown . Copy the URL of the web page. On the right hand side is a small option box that provides some formatting options which you may check as per your need.
* Next import it. It will take some time and most probably pop-up some script errors and asking for debug. You can just click NO for debug and ignore these errors. The import function will finish with the web page being shown in the import window.
* Next part is important. You will see a small yellow arrow on left side of each table in the web page preview. Just click the arrow adjacent to the table you want and import. It should be done .






The resulting table will be easily editable in excel.

[mphenterprises]

Hi Piyush. Thanks. I am doing some updating now but I will give it a try in a bit.

[mphenterprises]

Hi Tech4Me. Well, it was a valiant effort but the Vista Snipping Tool doesn't quite cut it. Unless there is a way to scroll through the webpage while using the Snipping Tool, I would have to take numerous snips in order to get complete table. I'm gonna try Piyush's suggestion and see what happens there.

[Tech4me]

Hi Mph. I 'm trying Piyush's suggestion too .. I got the whole web page ...then have to sort through also...but it does let me edit and reinsert new data over it.

Which is good.

Does it work out for you anyway...?

[mphenterprises]

Hi Piyush and Tech4Me. Piyush, your suggestion worked perfectly. I still have to go back and clean up the list but it worked. The list is from an account. That is why I could not give the url.

Tech4Me, don't forget to click the black arrow in the little yellow square and "Go" to begin the import. Depending on the size of the list, it will take some time.

[piyushsingh]

I aked for the URL coz i was concernned about the extent of formatting and the html coding in that particular page. As the pages that are build just as plane html tables come out perfectly with each table separated but pages with non-formal table formatting will be slightly difficult for excel to import. I just wanted to check that thing. It worked for you , thats good.
You can easily edit entire rows or columns in excel quickly or delete them , so that shouldnt be a problem.

[Tech4me]

Oops.....I only try on Pcw's page....Thats why It did not give me more option....

Glad it works for you.:p