HP SmartStream (formerly YoursTruly) variable, Excel and quotes in text file

[DCurry]

I have a variable data job. I have 2 software options - I can use HP SmartStream (formerly YoursTruly) or FusionPro. For simple jobs, I try to use SmartStream because it is simpler and faster to get it set up for the HP Indigo.

The problem I'm seeing is that when I open the Excel database and save out to either comma-separated (.csv) or tab-delimited (.txt), Excel seems to put quotes around some values (but not all, and not on all jobs). If I'm using SS, the quotes show up on the final piece, yet if I use FusionPro they do not. So, obviously SS is sensitive to it for some reason, so I open the .csv or .txt in Word and do a find/replace on all quote marks to get rid of them and that solves the problem.

Anyone else seeing this? I hate having an extra step.

[digital@sig-1.com]

We just use FP, but it usually works so well for us, I can't imagine using anything else. While it's not HP like the Indigo, why is SS easier? Won't FP make an Indigo ready file?

[DCurry]

It's easier because everything is done in InDesign, including imposition and all variable work. Once it is all set up you create a .jlt or PDF from within ID and you are done. With FP, I have to export to PDF, then set up variables, then use FusionPro Imposer to create an imposition, then compose. Takes about 3 times as long and you end up with more loose files laying around.

[digital@sig-1.com]

Have you ever used FP to sort data for a mail house?

[gnubler]

The problem I'm seeing is that when I open the Excel database and save out to either comma-separated (.csv) or tab-delimited (.txt), Excel seems to put quotes around some values (but not all, and not on all jobs).

Does it have to do with which character set you're saving the CSV as?

I'm doing various tests with csv and txt files because when I bring them into InDesign Data Merge the Spanish ñ (enye) doesn't come through.

[DCurry]

Have you ever used FP to sort data for a mail house?

No. If a job requires presorting we send the database to the mailhouse first, they run it through their software and feed it back to us, then we take it from there. Have you ever been in a Turkish prison? Do you like gladiator movies?

Does it have to do with which character set you're saving the CSV as?

I'm doing various tests with csv and txt files because when I bring them into InDesign Data Merge the Spanish ñ (enye) doesn't come through.

Beats me - I'm just saving it with defaults.